What do you think?
Rocky Road
Nancy Anne “Ancy” Robertson has her heart set on her dream promotion—and the chance it will give her to finally live her life on her terms and help the kids who need help the most. But she could lose her job altogether if her career-annihilating secret comes out: her fiancé is also her physical therapy patient. She needs to get him off her patient list, but he sets off a series of one credulity-challenging disaster after the next, and she’s the only one on staff who’s qualified to treat his injuries. Maybe some people would walk away, but he volunteers building houses for people who can’t afford them, and that fact melts Ancy’s heart. Some days, though, he’s seriously challenging her ability to see her world through rose-colored glasses.
And her flamboyant wedding planner can’t follow instructions at all. Ancy’s simple, elegant ceremony might turn out to be the most expensive wedding known to mankind.
But when another qualified PT joins the staff, her world is set to turn rosy again.
Except the new PT is Steve, her ex-fiancé. And he’s shooting for her promotion.
Working side by side with him, Ancy discovers she isn’t nearly as over Steve as she thought she was.
On top of dealing with her job troubles, the absurdities of her love life, and not one but three interfering mothers, each with an alarming secret of her own, Ancy’s efforts to keep from literally losing her autistic brother—who’s her inspiration but has a penchant for wandering off at the most inconvenient moments—grow to comedic proportions.
With her career prospects plummeting alongside her hilariously doomed love life, Ancy starts to wonder whether the rings in her life are more trouble than they’re worth. After all, she’s facing a few too many: the fake kind, the stolen kind, the sticky wax kind that belongs under a toilet… and maybe, just maybe, the kind meant to make a girl say I do.
And her flamboyant wedding planner can’t follow instructions at all. Ancy’s simple, elegant ceremony might turn out to be the most expensive wedding known to mankind.
But when another qualified PT joins the staff, her world is set to turn rosy again.
Except the new PT is Steve, her ex-fiancé. And he’s shooting for her promotion.
Working side by side with him, Ancy discovers she isn’t nearly as over Steve as she thought she was.
On top of dealing with her job troubles, the absurdities of her love life, and not one but three interfering mothers, each with an alarming secret of her own, Ancy’s efforts to keep from literally losing her autistic brother—who’s her inspiration but has a penchant for wandering off at the most inconvenient moments—grow to comedic proportions.
With her career prospects plummeting alongside her hilariously doomed love life, Ancy starts to wonder whether the rings in her life are more trouble than they’re worth. After all, she’s facing a few too many: the fake kind, the stolen kind, the sticky wax kind that belongs under a toilet… and maybe, just maybe, the kind meant to make a girl say I do.
242 pages, Paperback
First published May 28, 2013
About the author
Susan Lohrer
9 books11 followersSusan Lohrer is a Canadian romance author who got her start in writing by selling funny anecdotes about her family to the Canadian Reader's Digest. She also likes fish (in aquariums).
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 12, 2013
Honestly, it takes a lot to get me laughing. I've always had a weird, dry sense of humor that takes something really clever to get it going. This book had me laughing so hard I cried. By all accounts with all the poor heroine was going through, I should have been crying in sorrow. Heck anyone would cry if their life resembled this poor lady's, but Ms. Lohrer has a way of making disaster after disaster completely hilarious. There was a scene involving toilet sealant and hair and a spiked coke.. well, you'll have to read it. Let me just say that any woman who has ever planned a wedding, been attracted to one man while dating another, spent hours pulling out her hair agonizing over decisions in life, all while vying for a promotion at work and dealing with a plethora of dysfunctional family members, will totally relate to this story!! Throw in an autistic brother who wants to be a rock star, and you've got a winner. Which is just what this book is!! If life has been getting you down lately, pick this book up, kick up your feet, and let laughter heal your soul.
Excellent debut novel by this new author.
I was sent a book by Ms. Lohrer for my honest review and was under no obligation to give a positive one.
Excellent debut novel by this new author.
I was sent a book by Ms. Lohrer for my honest review and was under no obligation to give a positive one.
November 30, 2013
The book under review is designated as a romantic comedy and there are some scenes which certainly bring smile on your face. The book is about Ancy Robertson and her misadventures. There is also an autistic brother who wants to become a rock star and adds charm to the story. The book has an interesting story line that keeps readers interested.
A certain form of modesty marks the author’s treatment of the characters. The author has heavily resisted getting engaged with their insides and allowed these characters to express and speak for themselves by their doings and innate impulse to break out of the dreamy automation of habit. Ancy is uniformly viewed with a quick eye to the comic that is a ridiculing yet affectionate glance which lights up the reader’s hearts. What is more important, the author has avoided shaping this story merely to present sentimental caricatures of love or joy or of frustration. The autistic brother, one of the major characters in the book, faces many challenges as a person who has autism. One senses that the autistic brother echoes the author’s own sentiments, that there is something there of a deep undercurrent from which Lohrer’s art derives its vitality. It shows that the crazy mix of emotions inside anyone who cares is exactly the same.
This book seems to suggest that in life what matters most is to play a role and ‘become’ it. This is like fulfillment of one’s drama. Though there is comedy between the role assigned to you and the role you are playing, it is the essence of human comedy that does not deny you the possibility of ‘becoming’ the role and thereby transcending it. The comedy arises out of the violation of the Dharma, but that is only an illusion and everything returns to the equilibrium, just as the self of characters has an illusory active manifestation and a deep static core.
The author has some gift of storytelling and I look forward to read more of her works.
(I received the book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion on the book)
A certain form of modesty marks the author’s treatment of the characters. The author has heavily resisted getting engaged with their insides and allowed these characters to express and speak for themselves by their doings and innate impulse to break out of the dreamy automation of habit. Ancy is uniformly viewed with a quick eye to the comic that is a ridiculing yet affectionate glance which lights up the reader’s hearts. What is more important, the author has avoided shaping this story merely to present sentimental caricatures of love or joy or of frustration. The autistic brother, one of the major characters in the book, faces many challenges as a person who has autism. One senses that the autistic brother echoes the author’s own sentiments, that there is something there of a deep undercurrent from which Lohrer’s art derives its vitality. It shows that the crazy mix of emotions inside anyone who cares is exactly the same.
This book seems to suggest that in life what matters most is to play a role and ‘become’ it. This is like fulfillment of one’s drama. Though there is comedy between the role assigned to you and the role you are playing, it is the essence of human comedy that does not deny you the possibility of ‘becoming’ the role and thereby transcending it. The comedy arises out of the violation of the Dharma, but that is only an illusion and everything returns to the equilibrium, just as the self of characters has an illusory active manifestation and a deep static core.
The author has some gift of storytelling and I look forward to read more of her works.
(I received the book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion on the book)
June 24, 2013
I laughed so hard my sides hurt! With secrets, 2 mothers, a wondering but lovable brother and 4 ring; Nancy has her hands full trying to get a promotion but her ex-fiance is competing for it also. Will she get the job and the guy of her dreams? This is definitely a great summer read.
July 2, 2013
Rocky Road was a fun read. It's listed has a heartfelt comedy although some parts got a little serious for a comedy and the last bit of the book was all over the place it was a cute,entertaining story. Ancy has a kind but undecided heart and doesn't know what to feel when her ex suddenly pops back up. She finds herself in the worst predicaments at the wrong time and turns to Rocky Road for comfort. When things start coming out about her soon to be husband she realizes maybe she should swear men off completely.... This story is full of clumsiness, indecision and the biggest mess of past meets present. I'd actually give it a 3 1/12 star rating and look forward to reading more from this author
June 25, 2013
This is the first story I have read from Susan Lohrer. This story is a nice read. Ancy is a physical therapist, who is engaged to her patient, Mark. Her former lover, Steve is back in the area and is working in the same clinic, and does not think highly of Mark. Steve and Ancy also are both hoping to become the head of the department they work for. As I read this story, I felt like shaking Ancy numerous times because I felt like she has too many clueless moments. (Book provided by the publisher in exchange for a review.)
July 1, 2013
I really enjoyed this book :-) Susan Lohrer has a great way of telling a story and I found myself laughing along with the crazy goings on in the story. I also found myself shouting at my kindle on more than one occasion! It's a light hearted read with likeable (and not so likeable) characters but no spoilers here! ;-) You will have to read it yourself to find out more! There were some serious and touching moments that brought a lump to my throat and my heart went out the the Will character.
November 4, 2013
I received this book in exchange for my review
This was a good read, very sweetly romantic. A little frustrating at times.
Ancy is a woman who falls for a guy named Mark but was once in love with a guy named Steve. Ancy has commitment trouble.
Ancy is a woman who looks at almost everything as a glass full situation, she doesn't realize Mark is worthless and Steve is where she should be.
What I enjoyed about this book was that Steve never gave up, over all is was a good read and a really sweet story
This was a good read, very sweetly romantic. A little frustrating at times.
Ancy is a woman who falls for a guy named Mark but was once in love with a guy named Steve. Ancy has commitment trouble.
Ancy is a woman who looks at almost everything as a glass full situation, she doesn't realize Mark is worthless and Steve is where she should be.
What I enjoyed about this book was that Steve never gave up, over all is was a good read and a really sweet story
June 16, 2013
Really enjoyed this story, I was willing Ancy to wise up and make the right choice! Almost missed a couple of important points as the detail was in Ancy and her ice cream, and less so in the development of the story but got used to the writing the more I read. Recommend as a summer read for you!
May 29, 2014
4.5/5.0
Ms. Lohrer has studied the writing craft and displays it well in this romantic comedy.
Read full review in the 2014 June/July Double Issue of InD’tale Magazine.
Ms. Lohrer has studied the writing craft and displays it well in this romantic comedy.
Read full review in the 2014 June/July Double Issue of InD’tale Magazine.
July 1, 2013
I loved this book . There was times when I was laughing and times when I wanted to cry. Susan has done a good job of putting comedy and romance together. Nancy Anne Robertson is a physical therapist and is good at her job . Ancy, is what everyone calls her is engaged to Mark Castellan. Well the thing about it is she cannot tell anyone about her engagement because Mark is her patient and it is a rule that you cannot date one of your patients . She is also up for a big promotion , and if word gets out she is seeing one of her patients she would lose her job, and she could kiss her promotion good by. Ansy also has an autistic brother,Will, who will slip away at any moment. She loves her brother and would do anything for him . Now with a lot going on Ansy's ex-fiancé Steve Stone is back in town and also after the big promotion . He is working with Ansy side by side and planning on winning her back.. With her seeing Steve all the time at work, she can't get him out of her mind and is all the time comparing Mark with Steve.She had loved Steve , but he up and left her and now she is trying to put her life back together with Marrying Mark. Can she ever trust another man? Mark has a lot of hidden secrets that Ansy does not know about.She is trying to plan a wedding and having problems. In this book there is also four rings and two mothers that Ansy has to deal with. Will she find out Mark's secrets or will she go on and marry him? Who gets the big promotion that both Ansy and Steve is both after? Will Steve ever get Ansy to trust him again? This is a very good book and I think Susan has done a good job of writing it. I was sent a book by the author, but was not told I had to give a positive review. I gave this book a 5 stars because I liked it and it is a book that held my attention and had you thinking what was going to happen next.
March 13, 2014
Ancy is a top notch (although somewhat gullible) physiotherapist, and is pursuing the department head position coming up soon. She's engaged to Mark, one of her patients. This is definitely a breach of ethics, so it's crucial to keep this a secret. Ancy desperately needs the promotion to help with expenses for her mother and autistic brother.
When Ancy's ex-fiance shows up more than one conflict ensues. Steve happens to, be just as qualified as Ancy, and he also wants the department head position. Mark reveals himself to be very jealous, undependable, and a whole lot less than truthful. There's a tendency to want to shake Ancy until her teeth rattle for being so gullible and naive.
Numerous pints of Rocky Road ice cream later, a hilarious disaster that has Steve drinking a coke laced with drugs while replacing a broken toilet seal for Ancy, finds Ancy re-thinking her plans. She makes some startling changes to her wedding plans, and the reader is in for a surprise ending.
I love the humor and how quickly the story moves along. There is no time to get bored with all the comical disasters in this book.
When Ancy's ex-fiance shows up more than one conflict ensues. Steve happens to, be just as qualified as Ancy, and he also wants the department head position. Mark reveals himself to be very jealous, undependable, and a whole lot less than truthful. There's a tendency to want to shake Ancy until her teeth rattle for being so gullible and naive.
Numerous pints of Rocky Road ice cream later, a hilarious disaster that has Steve drinking a coke laced with drugs while replacing a broken toilet seal for Ancy, finds Ancy re-thinking her plans. She makes some startling changes to her wedding plans, and the reader is in for a surprise ending.
I love the humor and how quickly the story moves along. There is no time to get bored with all the comical disasters in this book.
November 21, 2013
This review is from: Rocky Road (Paperback)
First, I won a copy of this book direct from the author. It is my decision to leave a review.
Rocky Road really is what I call a romantic comedy, though there are moments that are not quite so comical. I honk my favorite part is how a Rocky abroad ice cream plays a huge part in the story.
Ancy is engaged to one of her patients. Her ex-fiancé is the new physical therapist, and the job she thought she was a shoe-in for may not be hers at all. There are several rings involved, including a toilet ring. Now, you will have to read the story to find out just HOW that fits in!
Susan Lohrer is an excellent writer and I look forward to reading more of her stories.
First, I won a copy of this book direct from the author. It is my decision to leave a review.
Rocky Road really is what I call a romantic comedy, though there are moments that are not quite so comical. I honk my favorite part is how a Rocky abroad ice cream plays a huge part in the story.
Ancy is engaged to one of her patients. Her ex-fiancé is the new physical therapist, and the job she thought she was a shoe-in for may not be hers at all. There are several rings involved, including a toilet ring. Now, you will have to read the story to find out just HOW that fits in!
Susan Lohrer is an excellent writer and I look forward to reading more of her stories.
December 7, 2013
A lovely summer read with laughter and love. The unforgettable characters and interesting story line kept me intrigued throughout. Although there are several twists and turns, the author blends them in perfectly allowing an even flow. It was funny, entertaining, and quite unique.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews