Love, Simplified

by Amanda Bretz

When workaholic Cecile Day realizes she isn’t living the life she wants, she uproots her life in Denver and moves to her family’s ramshackle cabin in Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri. Cecile wants to slow down, move to the country and live a life full of the things money doesn’t buy, but her motives for moving aren’t quite that simple. She knows running from an array of demons, leaving a wealthy fiancé and high-powered career won’t be easy, but what she hopes to gain by moving is peace of mind, sense of self and lasting happiness.
Upon her move, Cecile meets her sexy neighbor, Ethan Morgan. Cecile quickly discovers Ethan can provide her with companionship and a simple, country life, that is, if she’ll let him. She feels haunted by her past mistakes and struggles to feel worthy of Ethan’s affections. Even though Cecile has worked hard to simplify her life, will she realize she can’t live without the most basic necessity of all: love.

186 pages, Paperback

First published October 15, 2012

About the author

Author of hot, contemporary romance.
Print and online journalist.

Reviews

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cecile Day has had enough. Through unfortunate events at work, she has realized how unhappy she has been for years. She was raised as a caring and adventurous person, yet for the past several years she has only focused on her career. In order to reconnect with herself she packs up and leaves to seek the quiet peace of her family’s lake front cabin. After making the long drive to the cabin, and finding it in rough condition, Cecile tries to get a good night’s rest before beginning her new life. However, the head of the neighborhood watch has spotted the lights on at her cabin and insists on making sure everything is okay. Cecile opens the door only to come face-to-face with a man from every woman’s dreams and his name is Ethan Morgan. As she tries to forgive her past and make a new life for herself, she can’t help picturing Ethan in her future. Time will reveal that Ethan has his own secrets and wounds that need healing, too. Will Cecile and Ethan be able to let go of the past, or will their own hurts keep them separated forever?

Love, Simplified is Amanda Bretz’s third romance novel. An isolated, lake front cabin is the ideal romantic setting for these two characters. Steamy chemistry and the prospect for a sequel will leave readers fired up and craving more. The smooth writing style make this an easy and fun book to read. Readers will be cheering and crying along with their new friends at the lake, thanks to the relatable characteristics of the main characters. This is a must-have book for every fan of romance novels.

Notes:
Amanda Bretz provided a copy of this book for me to review. To learn more about this book and the author, please visit her website: http://www.authoramandabretz.wordpres...

This review was originally posted on my website: htpp://ariesgrlreview.com

[Henry Simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Setting, Denver. Cecile Day is a fast rising female executive in a high-pressure job who suffers from exhaustion and burnout. She is informally engaged to a controlling man who seems more interested in security and appearances than love and a personal relationship. Cecile reaches a personal crisis and withdraws to the family retreat in Missouri to reflect on her life. In so doing, she leaves behind job, relationship, friends, and everything else connected with her old life. New setting, a dilapidated old cabin in Missouri. The plot, in a nutshell: settling into new digs, making repairs, a handsome handyman, romance novels, new friends, etc. Where does it go? What will she do?

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Mediocre