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Sweetheart Sisters #1
The Sweetheart Bargain
You can’t teach an old dog new tricks—unless you’re a Sweetheart Sister…
The Sweetheart Sisters, a trio of sassy, well-meaning grannies (who aren’t against a sip of bourbon with breakfast) are ready to dispense advice and help create happy endings with a little of what they do best—meddling.
Animal therapist Olivia Linscott is the Sweetheart Sisters’ first target. Running from a bad marriage and a lousy job, Olivia is determined to save the dog shelter she inherited from the mother she never knew and, above all, to protect her broken heart. The Sisters want to tie the spirited young do-gooder to wounded helicopter pilot Luke Winslow, but the intended pair keeps slipping the leash.
Luke’s dreams were shattered by a career-ending eye injury. Adrift and bitter, the last thing he wants is romantic involvement. But when a golden retriever in worse shape than he is scratches on the door, the dog brings in a whole lot more than puppy love…
The Sweetheart Sisters, a trio of sassy, well-meaning grannies (who aren’t against a sip of bourbon with breakfast) are ready to dispense advice and help create happy endings with a little of what they do best—meddling.
Animal therapist Olivia Linscott is the Sweetheart Sisters’ first target. Running from a bad marriage and a lousy job, Olivia is determined to save the dog shelter she inherited from the mother she never knew and, above all, to protect her broken heart. The Sisters want to tie the spirited young do-gooder to wounded helicopter pilot Luke Winslow, but the intended pair keeps slipping the leash.
Luke’s dreams were shattered by a career-ending eye injury. Adrift and bitter, the last thing he wants is romantic involvement. But when a golden retriever in worse shape than he is scratches on the door, the dog brings in a whole lot more than puppy love…
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published September 3, 2013
17 people are currently reading
1389 people want to read
About the author
Shirley Jump
442 books743 followersShirley Jump is a writing instructor and an award-winning, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Amazon, and USA Today bestselling author who has published more than 80 books in 24 countries. She has spoken all over the world about the power of narrative and how to create compelling books. A former reporter and communications director for a marketing agency, she uses her diverse background to help clients create impactful books that readers can’t down.
She knows the path to publication isn’t all rainbows and unicorns, so to help writers write their best possible book, she offers monthly Manuscript Masterminds through her website, www.WritingCompellingFiction.com.
On her channel, https://YouTube.com/@WritingCompellin..., she unlocks the secrets behind compelling novels and delves into the psychological aspect of overcoming creativity-stoppers like doubt and perfectionism. Follow her channel for more writing exercises, classes, and behind-the-scenes writing lessons or join her Manuscript Mastermind to build your tribe of like-minded writers and receive crucial feedback on your pages.
She knows the path to publication isn’t all rainbows and unicorns, so to help writers write their best possible book, she offers monthly Manuscript Masterminds through her website, www.WritingCompellingFiction.com.
On her channel, https://YouTube.com/@WritingCompellin..., she unlocks the secrets behind compelling novels and delves into the psychological aspect of overcoming creativity-stoppers like doubt and perfectionism. Follow her channel for more writing exercises, classes, and behind-the-scenes writing lessons or join her Manuscript Mastermind to build your tribe of like-minded writers and receive crucial feedback on your pages.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
January 10, 2015
Very good book. Olivia has come to Rescue Bay to start a new life. She is recovering from her divorce and has inherited a house from the mother she never knew. She's determined to fix it up and reopen the dog shelter her mom ran. Next door is Luke, who is mourning the loss of his best friend and the end of his own dreams. Neither one is interested in a relationship but the attraction between them is hard to resist. Add in a meddling, matchmaking grandmother and a dog in need of love and who knows what will happen.
Olivia had a happy childhood with her adoptive parents but she always felt that there was something missing. She wondered about her birth mother and why she gave Olivia up. After her divorce from her cheating ex-husband her life in Boston was difficult. When she was left a house in Florida by her birth mother she decided to pack everything up and move to Rescue Bay. The house wasn't what she expected, being in dire need of fixing up, but she was going to give it a shot. She got a job at the local retirement home as an animal assisted therapist where she and her little dog quickly made friends with the residents. An injured dog led her to her next door neighbor, injured pilot Luke, who was gorgeous and grumpy. She wasn't interested in getting involved with him, preferring to protect her heart from further pain, but the attraction was very intense. Getting the dog treated also led her to the half sister she didn't know she had and the opportunity to learn more about her mother. I loved the way that Olivia tried to keep a positive attitude about things. Her house was a mess but she was determined to get it fixed up. She loved her work as a therapist and was great with the people she treated. Her empathy as a therapist shows her that Luke is hurting but she doesn't know if she can help him or even if she should try. She keeps reaching out to him with the help of the injured dog. Sometimes things go well and she feels like they're getting closer and then he will pull back and say hurtful things. She also wants to get to know her sister but even that has its problems. Diana had known nothing about Olivia either and is dealing with her own unresolved mother issues making it difficult for her to open up to Olivia. I really loved the way that Olivia really tried so hard to keep herself optimistic. It was so hard to see her start to lose hope and nearly give it all up. Loved the emotional scene at the cemetery with her sister and the difference it made to their relationship.
Luke was a mess. The accident that had killed his best friend also caused an injury to his eyes that ended his career as a helicopter pilot. All he had ever wanted to do was fly and he is drifting now with no idea what to do. Add in that his eyes are still recovering and he has trouble seeing and he is impossible to be around. He also blames himself for his friend's death and the guilt is eating him up. Olivia's appearance in his life as she tries to find the injured dog is not something he wants. He's attracted to her but feels that he is not worthy of being happy. No matter what he does he can't seem to keep Olivia away. The injured dog is found and treated, and takes a liking to Luke. Chance is constantly finding his way over to Luke's house where he shows his own kind of love and healing. I loved the way the nice guy that is still inside Luke keeps coming out. In spite of his moods he is always nice to his grandmother no matter how much of a pain she is to him with her interference and matchmaking. He is also great with Chance and finds himself enjoying the dog's company especially when he is feeling down. He also can't seem to stay away from Olivia. He enjoys her company and the attraction is intense. Things will be going great between them and something will set off his guilt and he pulls away and chases her off. He sees what he is doing but can't seem to stop it. I loved the way that it was the dog who helped Luke finally make the push to move on.
The secondary characters were great additions to the story. Luke's grandmother and her two friends were fun to watch as they set their hands to getting Luke and Olivia together. The main culprit is Luke's grandmother. She is so sure that she is right that she goes all out to get them together. She isn't subtle about it though she likes to think she is. All she wants if for Luke to be happy again and she is sure she has the solution. I also liked getting to know Olivia's sister Diana and her son. Diana's reactions to the will and the sister she didn't know about seemed very real and logical to me. Their developing friendship was realistic. I also liked seeing the issues that Diana was having with her son. Her struggles with him are hard for her. I liked her obvious love and frustration with the situation and her relief when Olivia helps her with a solution. Luke's friend Mike shows up in time to give Luke some of the hard truths he needs to face. But he is also the kind of support that Luke needs around to get him out of his depression. I loved his interest in Diana and I'm looking forward to their story.
Olivia had a happy childhood with her adoptive parents but she always felt that there was something missing. She wondered about her birth mother and why she gave Olivia up. After her divorce from her cheating ex-husband her life in Boston was difficult. When she was left a house in Florida by her birth mother she decided to pack everything up and move to Rescue Bay. The house wasn't what she expected, being in dire need of fixing up, but she was going to give it a shot. She got a job at the local retirement home as an animal assisted therapist where she and her little dog quickly made friends with the residents. An injured dog led her to her next door neighbor, injured pilot Luke, who was gorgeous and grumpy. She wasn't interested in getting involved with him, preferring to protect her heart from further pain, but the attraction was very intense. Getting the dog treated also led her to the half sister she didn't know she had and the opportunity to learn more about her mother. I loved the way that Olivia tried to keep a positive attitude about things. Her house was a mess but she was determined to get it fixed up. She loved her work as a therapist and was great with the people she treated. Her empathy as a therapist shows her that Luke is hurting but she doesn't know if she can help him or even if she should try. She keeps reaching out to him with the help of the injured dog. Sometimes things go well and she feels like they're getting closer and then he will pull back and say hurtful things. She also wants to get to know her sister but even that has its problems. Diana had known nothing about Olivia either and is dealing with her own unresolved mother issues making it difficult for her to open up to Olivia. I really loved the way that Olivia really tried so hard to keep herself optimistic. It was so hard to see her start to lose hope and nearly give it all up. Loved the emotional scene at the cemetery with her sister and the difference it made to their relationship.
Luke was a mess. The accident that had killed his best friend also caused an injury to his eyes that ended his career as a helicopter pilot. All he had ever wanted to do was fly and he is drifting now with no idea what to do. Add in that his eyes are still recovering and he has trouble seeing and he is impossible to be around. He also blames himself for his friend's death and the guilt is eating him up. Olivia's appearance in his life as she tries to find the injured dog is not something he wants. He's attracted to her but feels that he is not worthy of being happy. No matter what he does he can't seem to keep Olivia away. The injured dog is found and treated, and takes a liking to Luke. Chance is constantly finding his way over to Luke's house where he shows his own kind of love and healing. I loved the way the nice guy that is still inside Luke keeps coming out. In spite of his moods he is always nice to his grandmother no matter how much of a pain she is to him with her interference and matchmaking. He is also great with Chance and finds himself enjoying the dog's company especially when he is feeling down. He also can't seem to stay away from Olivia. He enjoys her company and the attraction is intense. Things will be going great between them and something will set off his guilt and he pulls away and chases her off. He sees what he is doing but can't seem to stop it. I loved the way that it was the dog who helped Luke finally make the push to move on.
The secondary characters were great additions to the story. Luke's grandmother and her two friends were fun to watch as they set their hands to getting Luke and Olivia together. The main culprit is Luke's grandmother. She is so sure that she is right that she goes all out to get them together. She isn't subtle about it though she likes to think she is. All she wants if for Luke to be happy again and she is sure she has the solution. I also liked getting to know Olivia's sister Diana and her son. Diana's reactions to the will and the sister she didn't know about seemed very real and logical to me. Their developing friendship was realistic. I also liked seeing the issues that Diana was having with her son. Her struggles with him are hard for her. I liked her obvious love and frustration with the situation and her relief when Olivia helps her with a solution. Luke's friend Mike shows up in time to give Luke some of the hard truths he needs to face. But he is also the kind of support that Luke needs around to get him out of his depression. I loved his interest in Diana and I'm looking forward to their story.
August 4, 2021
I liked this book. Our heroine has a few too many door mat moments to make me completely happy, but it does have some good parts. Our hero was hurt while flying a helicopter and is bitter. As an adopted daughter, our heroine was never really interested in her biological mother, until she receives an inheritance. Now at first glance the house and grounds are not such a great inheritance, but she decides to repair it. There is also a pet sanctuary on the property that she refinishes. This brings the actual hero of the story in, the dog. She takes the dog to the vet where she meets her half sister. There are some issues here.
So although this is a good book with amazing writing, I was not fond of the way everyone dumped on our heroine.
So although this is a good book with amazing writing, I was not fond of the way everyone dumped on our heroine.
August 27, 2013
I was fortunate enough to be given an ARC of this book for review and, as usual, Shirley Jump does not disappoint. This is a book that would be a lovely summer beach read. I laughed, I cried, I oowed and awed. Ms.Jump is very good at weaving a story with a multitude of fascinating characters that you end up loving. You are pulled in from the first chapter and really don't want the book to end because you are so invested in all the characters, the town and everything that is happening. Always an HEA, too. That's just the type of romance I love!
September 1, 2016
Review posted: Happily Ever After - Reads
Blog rating: C-
Olivia is trying to find answers about her birth mother and it’s led her to Florida. She was left at the hospital as a newborn and adopted into a loving home but she’s always wondered about the woman who gave her up. Olivia was notified of her mother’s death when she was left her home, animal shelter and a necklace from the woman she never knew. Trying to escape a bad marriage that’s over and to hopefully find some answers, she packs up and moves south only to find a rundown home, a grumpy neighbor and a new family member.
Luke is living in a pity party having been injured during an accident on the job which also ended his best friend’s life. His sight is bad, he has a scar across his face and he doesn’t want to try to make a new life for himself. He’s not dealing with his grief and anger well and is instead holing up like a hermit in his house, only being visited by his Grandmother. Olivia meets Luke when an injured dog shows up in their yards, and while it might have been chemistry at first sight, it was a long, hard, emotional road for these two to find happiness together.
I really don’t know what to think about this story. Individually, I liked the personal stories for Olivia and Luke. Olivia has a lot of family drama to deal with and try to understand, especially when she meets the sister she never knew about. I really liked the sister dynamic and would have liked to have seen that expanded on a little bit. The next book is the sister’s, so hopefully more of their growing relationship will continue. As for Luke, the struggles he has with letting go of the life he once had and trying to make the best of the life he has now takes a lot of time. He was somewhat of a frustrating character in that he’d let himself get close to Olivia only to push her away. This cycle continued through much of the story and it got a little old. It’s easy to feel for Luke and all he’s going through, but he didn’t make it easy for me to believe in his relationship with Olivia.
The romance felt a little lacking. I don’t know if it was the lack of page time the actual romance got or if was because of Luke’s constant back and forth with how he treated Olivia until finally he saw the light and realized how he felt and was ready for love, marriage and the whole bit. That felt so rushed, for as much as he would push and pull Olivia to make the big love declaration he does at the end, while sweet, didn’t have a big impact on me.
For a series set up, I did enjoy the overall feeling of the book. As I mentioned above, Olivia’s sister is leading the next book along with Luke’s friend Mike, both characters we get to know pretty well here. I peeked at the excerpt for their book and I’m already intrigued, especially with Mike having to deal with his two daughters, whom he’s rarely seen. While The Sweetheart Bargain may have ended up being an ok read, the highlights for me being when we got to know Olivia and Luke and see how they’re each dealing with issues in their personal lives, the romance left a bit to be desired. I do look forward to the next book however, and will come back to see how it all plays out.
Blog rating: C-
Olivia is trying to find answers about her birth mother and it’s led her to Florida. She was left at the hospital as a newborn and adopted into a loving home but she’s always wondered about the woman who gave her up. Olivia was notified of her mother’s death when she was left her home, animal shelter and a necklace from the woman she never knew. Trying to escape a bad marriage that’s over and to hopefully find some answers, she packs up and moves south only to find a rundown home, a grumpy neighbor and a new family member.
Luke is living in a pity party having been injured during an accident on the job which also ended his best friend’s life. His sight is bad, he has a scar across his face and he doesn’t want to try to make a new life for himself. He’s not dealing with his grief and anger well and is instead holing up like a hermit in his house, only being visited by his Grandmother. Olivia meets Luke when an injured dog shows up in their yards, and while it might have been chemistry at first sight, it was a long, hard, emotional road for these two to find happiness together.
I really don’t know what to think about this story. Individually, I liked the personal stories for Olivia and Luke. Olivia has a lot of family drama to deal with and try to understand, especially when she meets the sister she never knew about. I really liked the sister dynamic and would have liked to have seen that expanded on a little bit. The next book is the sister’s, so hopefully more of their growing relationship will continue. As for Luke, the struggles he has with letting go of the life he once had and trying to make the best of the life he has now takes a lot of time. He was somewhat of a frustrating character in that he’d let himself get close to Olivia only to push her away. This cycle continued through much of the story and it got a little old. It’s easy to feel for Luke and all he’s going through, but he didn’t make it easy for me to believe in his relationship with Olivia.
The romance felt a little lacking. I don’t know if it was the lack of page time the actual romance got or if was because of Luke’s constant back and forth with how he treated Olivia until finally he saw the light and realized how he felt and was ready for love, marriage and the whole bit. That felt so rushed, for as much as he would push and pull Olivia to make the big love declaration he does at the end, while sweet, didn’t have a big impact on me.
For a series set up, I did enjoy the overall feeling of the book. As I mentioned above, Olivia’s sister is leading the next book along with Luke’s friend Mike, both characters we get to know pretty well here. I peeked at the excerpt for their book and I’m already intrigued, especially with Mike having to deal with his two daughters, whom he’s rarely seen. While The Sweetheart Bargain may have ended up being an ok read, the highlights for me being when we got to know Olivia and Luke and see how they’re each dealing with issues in their personal lives, the romance left a bit to be desired. I do look forward to the next book however, and will come back to see how it all plays out.
July 21, 2014
3 ½-4 stars – Contemporary Romance
January 18, 2020
Décevant, incomplet, trop de pages, trop d'informations superflues et inutiles, des personnages superficiels... en un seul mot: cliché.
Read
July 22, 2019Was too generic and bored. Not even the dogs could help it out.
November 16, 2013
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales
Quick & Dirty: This was a heartbreaking story about love, loss, and the ability to move on. It is filled with charming characters, steamy romance, and a beautiful message.
Opening Sentence: Olivia Linscott made the most insane decision of her life in less time than it took to microwave a burrito.
The Review:
Olivia Linscott has just done the most sporadic thing in her whole life. After a failed marriage and a bunch of dead end jobs Olivia decides that it is time to start over. Her birth mother, whom she has never met, gives her the perfect opportunity by leaving Olivia her property in Rescue Bay, Florida. Olivia has always wondered about her birth mother and now she might finally be able to get some answers. Heartbreak has followed Olivia around for most of her life so she has decided that love just isn’t for her. Then she meets her devastatingly gorgeous neighbor, Luke Winslow.
Luke is a former coastguard pilot that recently got injured in a terrible accident. The injuries he suffered have left him partially blind which ended his flying career for good. Now all Luke wants is to be left alone, but his meddling grandmother has other plans for him. He can’t help but notice how attractive his new neighbor is, but Luke knows he is not the relationship type. But staying away from Olivia is extremely more difficult than he could ever imagine.
The story is told from multiple POV’s but mainly you switch between Olivia and Luke. Olivia is a really sweet girl that has been a little naïve in her life. She has had her heart broken too many times to count and she feels like a failure. But she is determined to start over and do things right this time. She went back to school and works as an animal therapist. She is very passionate about her job and is actually really happy in her new home. I enjoyed Olivia’s character she was fun and easy to connect with.
Luke is bitter and lost, but man is he easy on the eyes. Reading Luke’s story was really heartbreaking and made me very appreciative of the people that risk their lives to help others. Everything he ever cared about was taken from him in the blink of an eye, and to be honest if that happened to me I would be bitter too. As he starts to heal on the outside he realizes that he has to let people in if he ever expects to heal on the inside. Even though he could be really frustrating at times I still loved Luke and thought he was a wonderful character.
The Sweetheart Bargain is an adorable book that I really enjoyed. The cast of characters are charming and easy to love. I loved the grandma’s, they were probably my favorite characters. There is just something about meddling old women that I find endearing. I think it’s that I see myself becoming one someday. I’m already a hopeless romantic and I think sweet old ladies are just adorable. The romance was steamy and full of emotion. There were a few times that the pacing dragged a little bit. I think the reason it didn’t flow perfectly was because there were too many POV��s. It made it feel like too much was going on outside of the main plotline. I believe the author did it to set up the stage for the sequel, but it just didn’t quite work for me. With that being said, I still really enjoyed this book and I am really looking forward to reading the next installment. I would recommend this to anyone that is looking for a cute romance novel.
Notable Scene:
She straightened—and almost collided with a six? foot? tall wall of a man.
“What the hell are you doing?” he said.
Her mouth opened, closed. Not a single word came out. Her gaze roamed over him, and she had to remind herself to breathe. Damn. Hot, handsome, sexy. She swallowed hard and tried not to stare.
Too much.
Blue jeans hugged his thighs, and a black T?shirt sporting a Harley? Davidson logo outlined a defined, hard chest, muscled biceps. The man had short cropped deep brown hair, a chiseled jaw shadowed with rough stubble. Dark sun?glasses hid his eyes, despite the setting sun behind him. On one side of his face, a jagged scar peeked out from under the sunglasses, which only added to the air of mystery. He looked—
Dangerous.
Not in the hack? you? into? tiny? pieces? and? bury? you?in?a?landfill kind of way, but in a mysterious, sensual way that said tangling with him would be unforgettable. That he was the kind of guy who could kiss her and leave her . . . reeling. Breathless. The kind her friends called a Mindless Man because one night with him would make a girl lose her mind— in a very, very good way
FTC Advisory: Berkley/Penguin provided me with a copy of The Sweetheart Bargain. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Quick & Dirty: This was a heartbreaking story about love, loss, and the ability to move on. It is filled with charming characters, steamy romance, and a beautiful message.
Opening Sentence: Olivia Linscott made the most insane decision of her life in less time than it took to microwave a burrito.
The Review:
Olivia Linscott has just done the most sporadic thing in her whole life. After a failed marriage and a bunch of dead end jobs Olivia decides that it is time to start over. Her birth mother, whom she has never met, gives her the perfect opportunity by leaving Olivia her property in Rescue Bay, Florida. Olivia has always wondered about her birth mother and now she might finally be able to get some answers. Heartbreak has followed Olivia around for most of her life so she has decided that love just isn’t for her. Then she meets her devastatingly gorgeous neighbor, Luke Winslow.
Luke is a former coastguard pilot that recently got injured in a terrible accident. The injuries he suffered have left him partially blind which ended his flying career for good. Now all Luke wants is to be left alone, but his meddling grandmother has other plans for him. He can’t help but notice how attractive his new neighbor is, but Luke knows he is not the relationship type. But staying away from Olivia is extremely more difficult than he could ever imagine.
The story is told from multiple POV’s but mainly you switch between Olivia and Luke. Olivia is a really sweet girl that has been a little naïve in her life. She has had her heart broken too many times to count and she feels like a failure. But she is determined to start over and do things right this time. She went back to school and works as an animal therapist. She is very passionate about her job and is actually really happy in her new home. I enjoyed Olivia’s character she was fun and easy to connect with.
Luke is bitter and lost, but man is he easy on the eyes. Reading Luke’s story was really heartbreaking and made me very appreciative of the people that risk their lives to help others. Everything he ever cared about was taken from him in the blink of an eye, and to be honest if that happened to me I would be bitter too. As he starts to heal on the outside he realizes that he has to let people in if he ever expects to heal on the inside. Even though he could be really frustrating at times I still loved Luke and thought he was a wonderful character.
The Sweetheart Bargain is an adorable book that I really enjoyed. The cast of characters are charming and easy to love. I loved the grandma’s, they were probably my favorite characters. There is just something about meddling old women that I find endearing. I think it’s that I see myself becoming one someday. I’m already a hopeless romantic and I think sweet old ladies are just adorable. The romance was steamy and full of emotion. There were a few times that the pacing dragged a little bit. I think the reason it didn’t flow perfectly was because there were too many POV��s. It made it feel like too much was going on outside of the main plotline. I believe the author did it to set up the stage for the sequel, but it just didn’t quite work for me. With that being said, I still really enjoyed this book and I am really looking forward to reading the next installment. I would recommend this to anyone that is looking for a cute romance novel.
Notable Scene:
She straightened—and almost collided with a six? foot? tall wall of a man.
“What the hell are you doing?” he said.
Her mouth opened, closed. Not a single word came out. Her gaze roamed over him, and she had to remind herself to breathe. Damn. Hot, handsome, sexy. She swallowed hard and tried not to stare.
Too much.
Blue jeans hugged his thighs, and a black T?shirt sporting a Harley? Davidson logo outlined a defined, hard chest, muscled biceps. The man had short cropped deep brown hair, a chiseled jaw shadowed with rough stubble. Dark sun?glasses hid his eyes, despite the setting sun behind him. On one side of his face, a jagged scar peeked out from under the sunglasses, which only added to the air of mystery. He looked—
Dangerous.
Not in the hack? you? into? tiny? pieces? and? bury? you?in?a?landfill kind of way, but in a mysterious, sensual way that said tangling with him would be unforgettable. That he was the kind of guy who could kiss her and leave her . . . reeling. Breathless. The kind her friends called a Mindless Man because one night with him would make a girl lose her mind— in a very, very good way
FTC Advisory: Berkley/Penguin provided me with a copy of The Sweetheart Bargain. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
September 28, 2013
With more than forty books to her credit, USA Today bestselling author Shirley Jump knows her way around a Happy Ever After. She also knows the most rewarding HEA is one that characters are forced to earn, heartache by tortuous heartache. And in The Sweetheart Bargain, Olivia and Luke know all about heartache—even before they make the mistake of falling in love.
Both Olivia and Luke have experienced significant loss in their lives and whether or not they’re willing to admit it, they could use a savior—or even three, which is where the meddling matchmakers come in. A nice irony, considering Olivia planned to do the saving in Rescue Bay. Of course she ends up rescuing so much more than strays—like the prickly family she didn’t know she had, her gorgeous but grumpy next door neighbor, and even her own future. Oh, and there’s the house her mysterious mother left her, but that might actually be beyond saving:
This was her inheritance? It looked like one more rejection, only from the grave. The woman who had abandoned her in the hospital twenty-nine years ago had abandoned this place, too.
…
Miss Sadie barked, bounced a couple times, then settled in the passenger seat. Olivia climbed out of the Toyota and took a moment to stretch her legs, her back. Maybe if she got a little closer, she’d see the house wasn’t as bad as she thought.
Nope. It was worse. Like opening a candy bar and finding Brussels sprouts underneath the wrapper.
Luke meanwhile wants nothing to do with anybody—or anything that requires human interaction. Luckily a stray named Chance has other ideas, and Luke’s grudging kindness to the dog makes the ill-tempered, occasionally frustrating ex-soldier redeemable. Kind of irresistible, too. Now you can see why Rescue Bay is the perfect name for Jump’s small town setting. What the characters go through will break your heart, and I’m not just talking the hero and heroine here. But as always, Jump achieves a deft balance between tears and triumphs, and through it all shines a charming and effortless humor.
Pauline dumped an envelope into each of their laps. “Guess who died?”
“Harold Twohig. Please say Harold Twohig.”
“Greta, you are a horrible person. That man is your neighbor.”
“No. He’s the devil incarnate who happens to live next door.” Greta sent a scowl at the easterly wall, and hoped Harold felt it in his bones.
By the way, the author is just as skilled with beginnings as she is with endings. Check out the opening line:
Olivia Linscott made the most insane decision of her life in less time than it took to microwave a burrito.
The Sweetheart Bargain is book one in Jump’s new series, Sweetheart Sisters, and there’s a reason it earned a Top Pick review from Romantic Times Book Club. The story is inviting, intriguing, heart-tugging and splendid in its sexiness. (Trust me, you’ll never look at kitchen cabinets the same way again.) Pick this up and you’ll fall immediately in love—with the story, the characters, their arduous HEA and with Rescue Bay itself. As gratifying as you’ll find the conclusion for The Sweetheart Bargain, there’s another happy ending here—the blissful promise of additional books set in this funny, feel-good Florida community. Watch for The Sweetheart Rules, out in April 2014.
Both Olivia and Luke have experienced significant loss in their lives and whether or not they’re willing to admit it, they could use a savior—or even three, which is where the meddling matchmakers come in. A nice irony, considering Olivia planned to do the saving in Rescue Bay. Of course she ends up rescuing so much more than strays—like the prickly family she didn’t know she had, her gorgeous but grumpy next door neighbor, and even her own future. Oh, and there’s the house her mysterious mother left her, but that might actually be beyond saving:
This was her inheritance? It looked like one more rejection, only from the grave. The woman who had abandoned her in the hospital twenty-nine years ago had abandoned this place, too.
…
Miss Sadie barked, bounced a couple times, then settled in the passenger seat. Olivia climbed out of the Toyota and took a moment to stretch her legs, her back. Maybe if she got a little closer, she’d see the house wasn’t as bad as she thought.
Nope. It was worse. Like opening a candy bar and finding Brussels sprouts underneath the wrapper.
Luke meanwhile wants nothing to do with anybody—or anything that requires human interaction. Luckily a stray named Chance has other ideas, and Luke’s grudging kindness to the dog makes the ill-tempered, occasionally frustrating ex-soldier redeemable. Kind of irresistible, too. Now you can see why Rescue Bay is the perfect name for Jump’s small town setting. What the characters go through will break your heart, and I’m not just talking the hero and heroine here. But as always, Jump achieves a deft balance between tears and triumphs, and through it all shines a charming and effortless humor.
Pauline dumped an envelope into each of their laps. “Guess who died?”
“Harold Twohig. Please say Harold Twohig.”
“Greta, you are a horrible person. That man is your neighbor.”
“No. He’s the devil incarnate who happens to live next door.” Greta sent a scowl at the easterly wall, and hoped Harold felt it in his bones.
By the way, the author is just as skilled with beginnings as she is with endings. Check out the opening line:
Olivia Linscott made the most insane decision of her life in less time than it took to microwave a burrito.
The Sweetheart Bargain is book one in Jump’s new series, Sweetheart Sisters, and there’s a reason it earned a Top Pick review from Romantic Times Book Club. The story is inviting, intriguing, heart-tugging and splendid in its sexiness. (Trust me, you’ll never look at kitchen cabinets the same way again.) Pick this up and you’ll fall immediately in love—with the story, the characters, their arduous HEA and with Rescue Bay itself. As gratifying as you’ll find the conclusion for The Sweetheart Bargain, there’s another happy ending here—the blissful promise of additional books set in this funny, feel-good Florida community. Watch for The Sweetheart Rules, out in April 2014.
October 30, 2013
The Sweetheart Bargain by Shirley Jump
Grade: B-
“Life is about change Luke. And part of that is what makes every day an adventure. And when life hands you lemons, make limoncello.”
Olivia Linscott has always wondered who her birth mother was and why she gave her up for adoption. When out of nowhere she learns her mother died and left her a house in Florida, Olivia packs her whole life up and sets out to discover some answers. Florida turns out to be much harder than Olivia thought it would be but she is determined to make it work and not go back to her old life in Boston. Olivia starts work at a retirement home and her whole life changes when one of the members and her girls friends, the Sweetheart Sisters, start trying to play matchmaker between her grandson and Olivia and soon Olivia isn’t so upset about the idea.
Luke Winslow has come back to Florida to heal from his physical, emotional and psychological issues since leaving the coast guard. Luke feels like he’s half the man he used to be and shuts everyone out except his grandmother and only cause she won’t allow it. When Luke gets a new neighbor he’s intrigued by Olivia and soon finds himself opening up to her about things that have happened in his past. With Olivia’s help Luke starts to heal and soon finds himself falling for his sexy new neighbor.
I really enjoyed The Sweetheart Bargain and I’m always a sucker for a wounded hero who has scars from his past, which Luke has a lot of. Luke is deeply depressed and dealing with some heavy stuff which causes him to push everyone away and be a class A jerk for the first half of the book. I spent a lot of the book being mad at Luke as well as rooting for him to get it together and pull himself out of the darkness he was in.
Olivia I liked from the beginning and the fact that she has a dog named Mrs. Sadie just made me like her even more. I did feel at times that she could be a little timid and needed to stand up for herself more. The interaction with Olivia and the residents of the retirement home melted my heart and I almost cried a few times. There are some twists and turns with Olivia in this book but at times I felt that they were little too predictable which made it hard to keep interested and engaged.
Overall The Sweetheart Bargain is a very cute contemporary romance and I enjoyed it. I think the series has great potential and I am very excited for the next book in the series featuring Diana and Mike, both of whom i loved in this book.
Grade: B-
“Life is about change Luke. And part of that is what makes every day an adventure. And when life hands you lemons, make limoncello.”
Olivia Linscott has always wondered who her birth mother was and why she gave her up for adoption. When out of nowhere she learns her mother died and left her a house in Florida, Olivia packs her whole life up and sets out to discover some answers. Florida turns out to be much harder than Olivia thought it would be but she is determined to make it work and not go back to her old life in Boston. Olivia starts work at a retirement home and her whole life changes when one of the members and her girls friends, the Sweetheart Sisters, start trying to play matchmaker between her grandson and Olivia and soon Olivia isn’t so upset about the idea.
Luke Winslow has come back to Florida to heal from his physical, emotional and psychological issues since leaving the coast guard. Luke feels like he’s half the man he used to be and shuts everyone out except his grandmother and only cause she won’t allow it. When Luke gets a new neighbor he’s intrigued by Olivia and soon finds himself opening up to her about things that have happened in his past. With Olivia’s help Luke starts to heal and soon finds himself falling for his sexy new neighbor.
I really enjoyed The Sweetheart Bargain and I’m always a sucker for a wounded hero who has scars from his past, which Luke has a lot of. Luke is deeply depressed and dealing with some heavy stuff which causes him to push everyone away and be a class A jerk for the first half of the book. I spent a lot of the book being mad at Luke as well as rooting for him to get it together and pull himself out of the darkness he was in.
Olivia I liked from the beginning and the fact that she has a dog named Mrs. Sadie just made me like her even more. I did feel at times that she could be a little timid and needed to stand up for herself more. The interaction with Olivia and the residents of the retirement home melted my heart and I almost cried a few times. There are some twists and turns with Olivia in this book but at times I felt that they were little too predictable which made it hard to keep interested and engaged.
Overall The Sweetheart Bargain is a very cute contemporary romance and I enjoyed it. I think the series has great potential and I am very excited for the next book in the series featuring Diana and Mike, both of whom i loved in this book.
September 18, 2013
So enjoyable and emotional, a romance about a broken man, a woman who never seems to get anything right and several meddlesome grandmothers that love happy endings. I truly enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to reading more about these fun ladies that help two stubborn people find love.
Olivia Linscott is changing her life, leaving Massachusetts and heading south after a lawyer gives her a mysterious envelope from her biological mother, a woman who left her in a Boston hospital and never contacted her. In the envelope is a will stating that Bridget Tuttle is leaving Olivia property in Rescue Bay, Florida. Unfortunately the cute bungalow from the picture turns out to be a disaster. The property has a rundown animal rescue center that has been closed for awhile and as she is inspecting the property she finds a dog that looks hurt and a grumpy neighbor next door, Luke.
Olivia is working at the Golden Years retirement home with her dog Miss Sadie, as an animal-assisted therapist and she has met some very interesting people. Greta Winslow (Luke’s grandmother) lives at the Golden Years retirement home with several other ladies that belong to a quilting club that gossips more than quilts. They have also recently started responding to letters written for the newspaper column called Common Sense Carla.
Luke was in the Coast Guard but a terrible accident permanently damaged his eyes and left his best friend and partner dead. He has walled himself in a world of darkness and self hate because he feels responsible.
As Olivia settles into her new place she comes face to face with Luke more times that she wants yet there is an attraction that they can’t deny. She also wants answers from Bridget who did not leave any, and meets an unexpected relative that is not happy to see her as she is hurting in her own way.
I really like this book, an emotional roller coaster from beginning to end. Olivia has had more downs than anyone and even though her adoptive parents gave her a wonderful life and love her, she has always felt abandoned.
Complete review at: Ramblings from a Chaotic Mind
Copy from publisher for an honest review
Olivia Linscott is changing her life, leaving Massachusetts and heading south after a lawyer gives her a mysterious envelope from her biological mother, a woman who left her in a Boston hospital and never contacted her. In the envelope is a will stating that Bridget Tuttle is leaving Olivia property in Rescue Bay, Florida. Unfortunately the cute bungalow from the picture turns out to be a disaster. The property has a rundown animal rescue center that has been closed for awhile and as she is inspecting the property she finds a dog that looks hurt and a grumpy neighbor next door, Luke.
Olivia is working at the Golden Years retirement home with her dog Miss Sadie, as an animal-assisted therapist and she has met some very interesting people. Greta Winslow (Luke’s grandmother) lives at the Golden Years retirement home with several other ladies that belong to a quilting club that gossips more than quilts. They have also recently started responding to letters written for the newspaper column called Common Sense Carla.
Luke was in the Coast Guard but a terrible accident permanently damaged his eyes and left his best friend and partner dead. He has walled himself in a world of darkness and self hate because he feels responsible.
As Olivia settles into her new place she comes face to face with Luke more times that she wants yet there is an attraction that they can’t deny. She also wants answers from Bridget who did not leave any, and meets an unexpected relative that is not happy to see her as she is hurting in her own way.
I really like this book, an emotional roller coaster from beginning to end. Olivia has had more downs than anyone and even though her adoptive parents gave her a wonderful life and love her, she has always felt abandoned.
Complete review at: Ramblings from a Chaotic Mind
Copy from publisher for an honest review
February 18, 2014
Finding Love when you least expected...not wanting to get involved...keeping to yourself...shutting out the rest of the word...this book is beautiful....it's touching, heartwarming, heartbreaking...going to extreme for the ones we love...opening up...and taking a leap of faith..You will find in this book...and You will laugh so much..It has a very sensitive feel which I fell in love with...
When Olivia Linscott...Animal therapist is presented with a document from a lawyer saying she has inherited her biological mothers house in Rescue Bay, Florida...so she packs up everything from Boston including her dog Miss Sadie and heads out. When she arrives to the house she is not at all pleased with the look of it...It's an eye sore to say the least..It used to be an animal shelter which her biological mother ran.
She came to Rescue Bay to get some answers about her biological mother and along the way finds more then she bargained for...
Luke Winslow her next door neighbor is one person who is dealing with a lot....after an a accident that claimed a life very dear to him... he's in a very bad place in his life..when he's see's Olivia on his front lawn he's not very please, and they don't exactly become very friendly neighbors. She see's a puppy under his porch and is trying to get him out, knows he's hurt..well Luke is not very kind to her to say the least..it gets bumpy and interesting from that point on between them.
They both fight an attraction...He has no desire to get involved or care right now about anything, and neither does she...She had a bad marriage...all she wants is one night thing..
So will the succumb to there attraction to each other?
I laughed so much in this book when Luke's grandma Greta and her posse tried to get them together...All there interventions..
One of my favorite lines was when grandma was at the doctor and he says to her...."Your a stubborn woman you know that?" "Why does everyone keep saying that? I don't see it."
The story is emotional...
I love Shirley Jump's writing..stay tuned for the next book which is "The Sweetheart Rules"coming out April 1st to characters who loved in this book...
When Olivia Linscott...Animal therapist is presented with a document from a lawyer saying she has inherited her biological mothers house in Rescue Bay, Florida...so she packs up everything from Boston including her dog Miss Sadie and heads out. When she arrives to the house she is not at all pleased with the look of it...It's an eye sore to say the least..It used to be an animal shelter which her biological mother ran.
She came to Rescue Bay to get some answers about her biological mother and along the way finds more then she bargained for...
Luke Winslow her next door neighbor is one person who is dealing with a lot....after an a accident that claimed a life very dear to him... he's in a very bad place in his life..when he's see's Olivia on his front lawn he's not very please, and they don't exactly become very friendly neighbors. She see's a puppy under his porch and is trying to get him out, knows he's hurt..well Luke is not very kind to her to say the least..it gets bumpy and interesting from that point on between them.
They both fight an attraction...He has no desire to get involved or care right now about anything, and neither does she...She had a bad marriage...all she wants is one night thing..
So will the succumb to there attraction to each other?
I laughed so much in this book when Luke's grandma Greta and her posse tried to get them together...All there interventions..
One of my favorite lines was when grandma was at the doctor and he says to her...."Your a stubborn woman you know that?" "Why does everyone keep saying that? I don't see it."
The story is emotional...
I love Shirley Jump's writing..stay tuned for the next book which is "The Sweetheart Rules"coming out April 1st to characters who loved in this book...
September 22, 2013
The Sweetheart Sisters are a trio of sassy grannies ready to dispense advice and meddle in the love lives of Rescue Bay residents.
Animal therapist Olivia Linscott ran away from a bad marriage and a dull life in Boston to the Florida coast after inheriting a house from the mother who gave her up at birth. Except the depilated shack and run down animal shelter isn't exactly what she had in mind. Determined to get answers and a fresh start, she finds a sister she never knew, prying clients, a stray dog, and a sexy, elusive next door neighbor. Luke Winslow's dreams died in a career-ending eye injury a year before. Bitter, he wants nothing to do with the attractive woman who just moved in, nor her rescue retriever who comes by daily. But involvement is just what he gets and they both just might find healing with each other.
From the start, the heart behind this book moved me, even when the dark, witty humor was evident. Olivia was optimistic and likable, and Luke was detached and broody. They made for a heady pair. This book really shined with Luke and his injury, though. It was satisfying watching him heal slowly and having a new life laid out for him. The secondary characters were a delight and the setting perfect. Also notable was how Jump didn't sugar-coat the relationships, the back-story, or the road to recovery for any of the characters. My only two quirks were the internal with the grandmother, Greta, as I felt it could have been toned down. We were in her head a bit too much. And even though Luke had issues, the constant back and forth, walking out, grew a little tiresome. One, twice--okay--not over and over. Alas, highly recommended and I'd buy more from this author.
Animal therapist Olivia Linscott ran away from a bad marriage and a dull life in Boston to the Florida coast after inheriting a house from the mother who gave her up at birth. Except the depilated shack and run down animal shelter isn't exactly what she had in mind. Determined to get answers and a fresh start, she finds a sister she never knew, prying clients, a stray dog, and a sexy, elusive next door neighbor. Luke Winslow's dreams died in a career-ending eye injury a year before. Bitter, he wants nothing to do with the attractive woman who just moved in, nor her rescue retriever who comes by daily. But involvement is just what he gets and they both just might find healing with each other.
From the start, the heart behind this book moved me, even when the dark, witty humor was evident. Olivia was optimistic and likable, and Luke was detached and broody. They made for a heady pair. This book really shined with Luke and his injury, though. It was satisfying watching him heal slowly and having a new life laid out for him. The secondary characters were a delight and the setting perfect. Also notable was how Jump didn't sugar-coat the relationships, the back-story, or the road to recovery for any of the characters. My only two quirks were the internal with the grandmother, Greta, as I felt it could have been toned down. We were in her head a bit too much. And even though Luke had issues, the constant back and forth, walking out, grew a little tiresome. One, twice--okay--not over and over. Alas, highly recommended and I'd buy more from this author.
July 28, 2013
This was a new to me author and I have to say, I definitely enjoyed this first book in her "Sweetheart Sisters" series, although I can't for the the life of me figure out where the title (for the book as well as the series) really fits in. The story was wonderful, pulling at your heartstrings for Luke's losses and Olivia's questions. Having the two of them helping each other find a new path that eventually comes together is so life affirming and romantic all at the same time - it makes me wonder if people in real life actually get these kinds of second chances at love, life, and happiness. Greta and her "golden years" sidekicks Pauline & Esther lent an air of fiesty wisdom and of course, Miss Sadie, the Therapy Diva as well as the "unintentional" doggie therapist named Chance were the sweetest additions to this cast. Being the eldest of 6 children, the 3 youngest being adopted, I know another side to Olivia's adoptive quest - (a side that nobody talks about) - but watching Olivia interact with her newly found sister Diana and her son Jackson was interesting for me. The feelings and emotions explored in this story seemed real and true so I'm very glad to have a new author to add to my giant TBR pile as soon as the next installment comes out in February!
FTC Advisory: I won a copy of this book through the GoodReads First Reads program. No compensation for my review was given.
FTC Advisory: I won a copy of this book through the GoodReads First Reads program. No compensation for my review was given.
October 15, 2013
The Sweetheart Bargain is a sweet love story and a delightful read.
Olivia Linscott and Luke Winslow are two emotionally wounded souls that find love and healing with a little help from a trio of benevolently meddling old ladies and some dog therapy.
Olivia arrives in Rescue Bay, seeking answers about her birth mother. She has just inherited her an old dilapidated house and a neglected animal rescue shelter from the woman she never knew. Still recovering from her divorce, she tries to rebuild a new life in a new town as an animal therapist. She finds a wounded dog on the grounds of the rescue shelter that could use a little TLC, as could a hottie next door neighbor, Luke, who is recovering from a career ending injury in the Coast Guard. As the attraction builds between Olivia and Luke, she discovers a whole new family, both biological and adopted in her new hometown. And while the road to happily ever after is hardly smooth, with a little animal therapy, tenacity and with a helping hand from the Sweetheart sisters, Luke and Olivia find the love, healing and answers they seek.
Note: I won an advanced reader's copy from goodreads first reads.
Olivia Linscott and Luke Winslow are two emotionally wounded souls that find love and healing with a little help from a trio of benevolently meddling old ladies and some dog therapy.
Olivia arrives in Rescue Bay, seeking answers about her birth mother. She has just inherited her an old dilapidated house and a neglected animal rescue shelter from the woman she never knew. Still recovering from her divorce, she tries to rebuild a new life in a new town as an animal therapist. She finds a wounded dog on the grounds of the rescue shelter that could use a little TLC, as could a hottie next door neighbor, Luke, who is recovering from a career ending injury in the Coast Guard. As the attraction builds between Olivia and Luke, she discovers a whole new family, both biological and adopted in her new hometown. And while the road to happily ever after is hardly smooth, with a little animal therapy, tenacity and with a helping hand from the Sweetheart sisters, Luke and Olivia find the love, healing and answers they seek.
Note: I won an advanced reader's copy from goodreads first reads.
September 27, 2013
I received a copy of this book through the GoodReads First Reads giveaway.
I liked Olivia, and Luke grew on me. I dislike romance novels in which the main male character is so broken down and tortured that they act like a jerk to everyone the entire time, and I thought Luke was angsty and gruff without crossing the line into being a complete jerk. At times, I found some of his dialogue a bit trite, but overall I liked Luke and Olivia's interactions and relationship. Also, I'm an animal lover, so I really liked the role that Miss Sadie and Chance played in the story and I enjoyed seeing Olivia at work.
Ultimately, I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would. From the description, I thought it would be mostly cheesy fun, but there was much more genuine emotion and humor in it than I expected. I tend not to like romances that focus solely on the main couple and not much else, and I thought this book developed all the characters and balanced the different story lines and relationships well; this sets the stage nicely for the second book, which I look forward to reading!
I liked Olivia, and Luke grew on me. I dislike romance novels in which the main male character is so broken down and tortured that they act like a jerk to everyone the entire time, and I thought Luke was angsty and gruff without crossing the line into being a complete jerk. At times, I found some of his dialogue a bit trite, but overall I liked Luke and Olivia's interactions and relationship. Also, I'm an animal lover, so I really liked the role that Miss Sadie and Chance played in the story and I enjoyed seeing Olivia at work.
Ultimately, I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would. From the description, I thought it would be mostly cheesy fun, but there was much more genuine emotion and humor in it than I expected. I tend not to like romances that focus solely on the main couple and not much else, and I thought this book developed all the characters and balanced the different story lines and relationships well; this sets the stage nicely for the second book, which I look forward to reading!
April 1, 2014
Shirley Jump has written another great novel in her Sweetheart Sisters series. Though it's part of a series, it easily stands alone and will make you want to go back and read the others.
Shirley always hooks me with her emotion filled characters that walk right off the page and makes me care what happens to them. I found myself laughing, crying, and cheering for the "happy ever after" the characters deserved. Based in a small town that makes you feel welcome, Olivia and Luke must find their way through past hurts, disappointments and life changing events. A relationship is the last thing on their mind, but luckily a golden retriever that needs help, and a trio of match-making grannies are there to help things along. A great story that will keep you turning the pages.
Shirley is a great author that I think you will enjoy. She also spends many hours helping other writers on their road to being published.
Shirley always hooks me with her emotion filled characters that walk right off the page and makes me care what happens to them. I found myself laughing, crying, and cheering for the "happy ever after" the characters deserved. Based in a small town that makes you feel welcome, Olivia and Luke must find their way through past hurts, disappointments and life changing events. A relationship is the last thing on their mind, but luckily a golden retriever that needs help, and a trio of match-making grannies are there to help things along. A great story that will keep you turning the pages.
Shirley is a great author that I think you will enjoy. She also spends many hours helping other writers on their road to being published.
July 24, 2015
This book was a quick and quick read. I must say I did enjoy grandma Greta. I love her spook that had me laughing and if she wants to do something, she just does it. The reason I didn't give it more stars is because one, I don't understand where the title came from. Two, I hate when romance books have a conflict with the main couple and is resolved in two pages at the very end. It makes me feel as if it was a second thought or just had to be done. Reason three is because there is only so much rejection a man can give and a woman can take in a story before it becomes frustrating.
After reading this book, I am still on the fence about reading the next in the series. Yes I want to continue because the book did flow nicely and had it moments, but then I'm thinking the next book may be the same as the first and disappoint me a little.
After reading this book, I am still on the fence about reading the next in the series. Yes I want to continue because the book did flow nicely and had it moments, but then I'm thinking the next book may be the same as the first and disappoint me a little.
October 12, 2013
As always Shirley Jump gives us a tantalizing read with this tale of two sisters. Who doesn't love sister stories?
When Olivia goes in search of the truth about her deceased birth mother, she finds more questions than answers, including a handsome neighbor next door who allures and confuses her.
His grandmother, a resident at the retirement community where Olivia is an animal therapist, is determined, however, to both bring her grandson out of his shell, and make a love match for Olivia to boot -- with the help of a couple of friends.
Not only does Olivia have to renovate the wreck of a house her mother has left her, but she also has to build a relationship with a newly-discovered sister.
This is well worth the read.
When Olivia goes in search of the truth about her deceased birth mother, she finds more questions than answers, including a handsome neighbor next door who allures and confuses her.
His grandmother, a resident at the retirement community where Olivia is an animal therapist, is determined, however, to both bring her grandson out of his shell, and make a love match for Olivia to boot -- with the help of a couple of friends.
Not only does Olivia have to renovate the wreck of a house her mother has left her, but she also has to build a relationship with a newly-discovered sister.
This is well worth the read.
December 4, 2013
Truly a story of hope and redemption! I could relate to Olivia so well, on her own again, confused about her direction and chaos begins to reign! Loved that she had such a heart for animals and used it to enhance people's lives...even those who aren't so inclined to embrace love. Luke's character is the guy you just want to take care of and wish the best for recovery from a tragic life event. Luke's grandmother is a hoot and I loved reading about her shenanigans! It's a great book and the beginning of what I predict to be a popular series! Shirley Jump has a knack for tugging at your heartstrings and producing a feel good ending.
September 7, 2013
It was a lovely story. Luke was a man with a double edged sword pointed at his soul. He had lost part of his vision, and his best friend was also killed in the same accident. Olivia is also living with some very angst filled days. She was divorced in the last year, and she is on an adventure to a new town, to find out about the birth mother who gave her up. On the lighter side, Luke's meddling grandmother, and her friends, are trying their hardest to push the two together. Their is an undiscovered sibling in the mix, and some surprising new discoveries, that they each find. Read about their rocky road to love, and self discovery.
September 24, 2013
Ms Jump's best book yet.
I'm relatively new to Shirley Jump's novels, but have to say that I found The Sweetheart Bargain her best story of the ones I've read. It has all the ingredients for success - two tortured souls who aren't prepared to accept what's smacking them around the heart without a fight, some great secondary characters and a brilliant set up for the next book in the series - The Sweetheart Rules.
I'm a sucker for an active hero and small furry animals, oh and belligerent old people with good intentions, so The Sweetheart Bargain kept me reading well after 'lights out'.
Bring on Feb 2014 when we can read Mike and Diana's story.
I'm relatively new to Shirley Jump's novels, but have to say that I found The Sweetheart Bargain her best story of the ones I've read. It has all the ingredients for success - two tortured souls who aren't prepared to accept what's smacking them around the heart without a fight, some great secondary characters and a brilliant set up for the next book in the series - The Sweetheart Rules.
I'm a sucker for an active hero and small furry animals, oh and belligerent old people with good intentions, so The Sweetheart Bargain kept me reading well after 'lights out'.
Bring on Feb 2014 when we can read Mike and Diana's story.
October 25, 2015
I selected this as part of my 5 Romance Novels At Once! super-fun research project hoping to discover new authors to love. This is my first Shirley Jump.
Intro/Prologue/Ch 1
Oh I loved how this one started – really interesting backstory about an abandoned heroine reclaiming her life by inheriting her biological mother’s fix-me-upper and a poor dog rescue – and the guy seems like a complete jerk. Hints that he might not be, but I don’t want to know. Any chapter that ends with crying is bad. I want to put this one down.
DNF
Intro/Prologue/Ch 1
Oh I loved how this one started – really interesting backstory about an abandoned heroine reclaiming her life by inheriting her biological mother’s fix-me-upper and a poor dog rescue – and the guy seems like a complete jerk. Hints that he might not be, but I don’t want to know. Any chapter that ends with crying is bad. I want to put this one down.
DNF
October 13, 2013
Shirley has done it again. This was an excellent read. I was upset when it ended. I wanted to read more. A busy-body, matchmaking grandma to Olivia's next door neighbor can be frustrating, but in the end, she helps Olivia find her true love.
Olivia went in search of information about her mother who gave her away at birth, but found more than that. She ended up with a family and true love as well.
This story examines issues of courage in the face of hurt, the importance of family, and in reaching out to others to heal oneself. All in all, a great read.
Olivia went in search of information about her mother who gave her away at birth, but found more than that. She ended up with a family and true love as well.
This story examines issues of courage in the face of hurt, the importance of family, and in reaching out to others to heal oneself. All in all, a great read.
August 21, 2013
The Sweetheart Bargain by Shirley Jump: At a time in her life when she is ready for change, a lawyer shows up on Olivia’s doorstep. He gives her the keys to a home her biological mother has left her, a photo of it, and a necklace. Before she can change her mind, or think of reasons not too, Olivia has packed up herself and her dog, quit her job and is heading to Florida for that fresh start. She never knew her biological mother, and is hoping that she will finally find some answers.Read More
August 24, 2013
The Sweetheart Bargain is a great summer read...Perfect to read while laying out in the sun by the pool..which is what I did while I read it. The chapters just flew by and I was drawn in by the residents of Rescue Bay Florida. I loved the Sweetheart Sisters and the great "romance" between Greta and Harold Twohig. LOL and the Advice column writers. Best of all I loved the dance of both mind and hearts of Olivia and Luke. It brought tears to my eyes as I read the words that Olivia has spent most of her life waiting to hear. Great Story by Shirley Jump!! <3
September 22, 2013
I absolutely loved this book! I couldn't put it down and finished the entire book in a matter of hours. The characters were easy to fall in love with and relate to. I didn't want the book to end and look forward to reading more from Ms. Shirley Jump!
I was not thrilled with the amount of language in the book and some of the book got rather steamy. I definitely wouldn't feel comfortable recommending this book to my grandma, but it was a fun read for myself.
**I won a copy of this book in a GoodReads giveaway**
I was not thrilled with the amount of language in the book and some of the book got rather steamy. I definitely wouldn't feel comfortable recommending this book to my grandma, but it was a fun read for myself.
**I won a copy of this book in a GoodReads giveaway**
April 19, 2014
Heartwarming & sexy. Luke & Olivia are both going through life-changing events while finding their way to each other. Luke's relationship with stray dog, Chance, is sweet & key to his emotional recovery. The developing relationship Olivia finds with her sister is believable & not over the top. The granny matchmakers are good comic relief. I had to run out & buy the next book in the series before I was done. A can't put down,fresh contemporary romance! I won this in a Goodreads giveaway & was so happy. Enjoyable and fun read!
September 15, 2013
An enjoyable new series from Shirley Jump. The meddling Sweetheart Sisters, grannies who aren't opposed a little bourbon with breakfast, are more than willing to provide advice with a nudge.
Some of my favorite bits of advice:
Some of my favorite bits of advice:
"when life hands you lemons, you make limoncello"
"Favors done for the neighbor fine—” “Are best accompanied by a bottle of wine."
October 12, 2013
This book contained one of my pet peeves... I have no idea where the title came from. There was no bargain, there were barely sweethearts. Mostly there were two people who kinda liked each other, didn't want to get involved but got involved anyway. It wasn't very original but it wasn't *bad*, the writing was good and the characters were likable. It was a fun read but I didn't feel compelled to keep reading, I easily put it down a few times.
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