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Looking for Love #1
Love Is All Around
Tired of small-town life and ringing up groceries, Patsy Lee Clark, armed with dreams of bigger and better things, gets some much-needed excitement when former bad boy Will Barnes, the object of her affection, returns to Daisy Creek. Original.
317 pages, Paperback
First published May 3, 2005
42 people are currently reading
453 people want to read
About the author
Lori Devoti
51 books283 followersLori Devoti grew up in southern Missouri and attended college at the University of Missouri-Columbia where she earned a Bachelor of Journalism. She, however, made it clear to anyone who asked, she was not a writer; she worked for the dark sideadvertising. Now twenty years later, shes proud to declare herself a writer and visit her dark side occasionally by writing dark, sensual paranormal romance, urban fantasy and young adult novels.
Lori lives in Wisconsin with her husband, daughter, son, Siberian husky and shepherd/puggle cross.
Lori lives in Wisconsin with her husband, daughter, son, Siberian husky and shepherd/puggle cross.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
November 14, 2010
I loved it. It's regional romance, set in Missouri, so there's lots of country-isms in people's language. Love that. It's a "small town" romance too so the whole town is kind of the bad guy--and the good guy. God I'm glad I grew up in a medium-size town...and moved away fast!
September 4, 2012
It was really slow till about half way. After it picked up but still left me missing something. The main character was impossible, rude and very unlikeable.
November 12, 2020
This books grew on me. The first 40% was rough but then...character growth! Hurrah!
January 14, 2016
I found Rae Davies through her Dusty Deals mystery series, and decided to try out her contemporary romance. Love is All Around is a sweet story of love and finding where you truly belong, even if it's not where others see you or even what you initially planned.
Summary:
Patsy Lee Clark has big plans. Tired of living the small town Missouri life, she's determined to follow her dreams and leave Daisy Creek behind. To kickstart her departure, she needs a job that doesn't involve scanning groceries, so putting her web design knowledge to work is priority. Of course, getting out of Daisy Creek proves to be harder than she imagined while convincing her family it's what's best for her, and avoiding the mutual attraction to the recently returned bad boy from her past. Will Barnes is finally taking control of his own life after spending so many years trying to please his father, and determined to make up for his past mistakes. Moving back to the small town of Daisy Creek is a fresh start for Will, and he won't let anything derail his plans. Will didn't anticipate the feisty Patsy and her too good to be true personality, though. The harder Patsy tries to escape her narrow world, Will reminds her of the joy she found in the simplest things. Will's blank slate keeps getting kicked up by the spunky woman and her meddlesome family. Each feels an attraction that can't be denied, but neither want to risk heartache and failure in their plans. With exes, controlling parents, meddlesome family members, misguided friends, and stubbornness working against them, can Patsy be convinced Daisy Creek is where all her dreams will come true, even including Will?
I story was just alright for me. I liked the premise of the story, and after getting used to it, the hick vibe didn't bother me (although at first, the dialogue irritated me). Patsy was funny, smart, spunky, and determined. I liked that she would do almost anything for her dream, but sometimes she was so focused on her future, she didn't see what was right in front of her. Will was endearing when he committed one of his many blunders. Lol. I liked that he was changing his life and becoming the person he always should have been. Supporting cast was okay, but not amazin. Ruthann was sweet, but her constant inability to stand up for herself was a bit annoying. Patsy's family was funny and sweet in that typical loving, but annoying family way. I wish we could have gotten more on Dwayne. I was disappointed that so many issues were left open. We never found out what Dwayne's part of the business was. I felt we were left up in the air on the direction of the new company and how it fared after launch. Despite her bit of horribleness in the story, I sort of liked Jessica and wouldn't have minded knowing where she ended up. I'm a girl who loves her epilogues, so I was disappointed to note there wasn't one for this couple. I really enjoy Rae Davies' writing, but I'm not sure the Looking for Love series is for me. I might consider book 2 since I liked the humor in book 1, but it won't be soon. I prefer her Dusty Deals mysteries. <3
Summary:
Patsy Lee Clark has big plans. Tired of living the small town Missouri life, she's determined to follow her dreams and leave Daisy Creek behind. To kickstart her departure, she needs a job that doesn't involve scanning groceries, so putting her web design knowledge to work is priority. Of course, getting out of Daisy Creek proves to be harder than she imagined while convincing her family it's what's best for her, and avoiding the mutual attraction to the recently returned bad boy from her past. Will Barnes is finally taking control of his own life after spending so many years trying to please his father, and determined to make up for his past mistakes. Moving back to the small town of Daisy Creek is a fresh start for Will, and he won't let anything derail his plans. Will didn't anticipate the feisty Patsy and her too good to be true personality, though. The harder Patsy tries to escape her narrow world, Will reminds her of the joy she found in the simplest things. Will's blank slate keeps getting kicked up by the spunky woman and her meddlesome family. Each feels an attraction that can't be denied, but neither want to risk heartache and failure in their plans. With exes, controlling parents, meddlesome family members, misguided friends, and stubbornness working against them, can Patsy be convinced Daisy Creek is where all her dreams will come true, even including Will?
I story was just alright for me. I liked the premise of the story, and after getting used to it, the hick vibe didn't bother me (although at first, the dialogue irritated me). Patsy was funny, smart, spunky, and determined. I liked that she would do almost anything for her dream, but sometimes she was so focused on her future, she didn't see what was right in front of her. Will was endearing when he committed one of his many blunders. Lol. I liked that he was changing his life and becoming the person he always should have been. Supporting cast was okay, but not amazin. Ruthann was sweet, but her constant inability to stand up for herself was a bit annoying. Patsy's family was funny and sweet in that typical loving, but annoying family way. I wish we could have gotten more on Dwayne. I was disappointed that so many issues were left open. We never found out what Dwayne's part of the business was. I felt we were left up in the air on the direction of the new company and how it fared after launch. Despite her bit of horribleness in the story, I sort of liked Jessica and wouldn't have minded knowing where she ended up. I'm a girl who loves her epilogues, so I was disappointed to note there wasn't one for this couple. I really enjoy Rae Davies' writing, but I'm not sure the Looking for Love series is for me. I might consider book 2 since I liked the humor in book 1, but it won't be soon. I prefer her Dusty Deals mysteries. <3
June 25, 2013
I'm a reader. And I'll add to that: I'm a very opinionated, selective, nit-picky reader. I've tossed more books across the room than I've finished. Those were the ones I wasn't bothering to skip through to the ending. It sometimes gets to the point where I don't much care if the hero and heroine got together at all. That said, I'm still a consumer of the written word. If it's written, and I bought it, I'm making the effort to read it. And if I'm interested enough to skip to get to the ending, then I'm skipping. How much can I miss anyway?
I have to admit first of all, that I read every word of LOVE IS ALL AROUND. Every one. That's how much fun this book is.
I won't go into the plot. Other reviewers are much better at that than I could possibly be, and I hate synopsis writing anyway. In brief: Patsy Clark thinks she knows what she wants. Just about everyone else in town (and readerdom) know better. That much is crystal clear. Good thing she comes to her senses before I had to step in and kick some butt! That's what happens when you read Lori Devoti's book, LOVE IS ALL AROUND. You get involved. You care. You really like this Patsy, faults and all, and you want the ending to arrive, but you don't want it to come too fast and ruin everything! You want it to be oh so right.
Here's my next confession. I read this book in one (split) sitting. I only put it down because I had to go pick up one of my children at a party, and I was late for that! I was pretty un-neighborly, too, when I arrived, but I was getting back home for a reason. I was hooked on LOVE IS ALL AROUND.
*****In closing; as a very opinionated, selective, nit-picky reader LOVE IS ALL AROUND is such a wonderful, encapsulated trip into Patsy and Will's life, and the way Ms. Devoti writes is so hypnotic, that I have no choice but to Highly Recommend her for contemporary romance fans, and yes, even the historical romance fan will find themselves guilty for thoroughly enjoying themselves, too.
I have to admit first of all, that I read every word of LOVE IS ALL AROUND. Every one. That's how much fun this book is.
I won't go into the plot. Other reviewers are much better at that than I could possibly be, and I hate synopsis writing anyway. In brief: Patsy Clark thinks she knows what she wants. Just about everyone else in town (and readerdom) know better. That much is crystal clear. Good thing she comes to her senses before I had to step in and kick some butt! That's what happens when you read Lori Devoti's book, LOVE IS ALL AROUND. You get involved. You care. You really like this Patsy, faults and all, and you want the ending to arrive, but you don't want it to come too fast and ruin everything! You want it to be oh so right.
Here's my next confession. I read this book in one (split) sitting. I only put it down because I had to go pick up one of my children at a party, and I was late for that! I was pretty un-neighborly, too, when I arrived, but I was getting back home for a reason. I was hooked on LOVE IS ALL AROUND.
*****In closing; as a very opinionated, selective, nit-picky reader LOVE IS ALL AROUND is such a wonderful, encapsulated trip into Patsy and Will's life, and the way Ms. Devoti writes is so hypnotic, that I have no choice but to Highly Recommend her for contemporary romance fans, and yes, even the historical romance fan will find themselves guilty for thoroughly enjoying themselves, too.
August 6, 2016
The cover looked cute, but... wha. When I opened it and found myself in the middle of a no-brainer conversation between Ruthann and Patsy Lee, I knew it was going to be redneck hell, with a hefty dose of drunk n' stupid on the side. And that's exactly what happened.
From the harvest gold fridge on the front porch to Ruthann's obsession with the size of the good ol' boy's 'sausage', it was just... very low IQ. The conversations were substance-free and just plain boring. I tried, honest I did, but... I had to quit.
It made NO sense why this guy - who wanted to start over - would pick Hillbilly Hell to do it. He might've first 'found himself' there years ago, but that doesn't mean he'd choose to go BACK to Backwater Alley when he made his money. It was just... dumb. Everyone in the book was dumb. The plot was dumb. The fridge was dumb.
Just sayin'.
From the harvest gold fridge on the front porch to Ruthann's obsession with the size of the good ol' boy's 'sausage', it was just... very low IQ. The conversations were substance-free and just plain boring. I tried, honest I did, but... I had to quit.
It made NO sense why this guy - who wanted to start over - would pick Hillbilly Hell to do it. He might've first 'found himself' there years ago, but that doesn't mean he'd choose to go BACK to Backwater Alley when he made his money. It was just... dumb. Everyone in the book was dumb. The plot was dumb. The fridge was dumb.
Just sayin'.
September 10, 2012
Lori Devoti should write more of contemporary romances! It was amazing! :)
and I now love Southern Missouri and I love daisies just like Patsy which makes me indulge more with this book.I love the intensity of love that has been wrapped around Patsy and Will :)
and I now love Southern Missouri and I love daisies just like Patsy which makes me indulge more with this book.I love the intensity of love that has been wrapped around Patsy and Will :)
Read
November 21, 2010This is digital version of my first book with a bonus short story and a recipe for Granny's fried apple pies.
August 11, 2012
Cute story. A pretty predictable plot, but sometimes you just need an easy read. It was a free book from BookBub.
August 15, 2012
It was LAUGH OUT LOUD funny... even cried laughing... sweet story to!
August 18, 2012
So much fun! The will-they-won't-they goes on and on, but there are lively characters that kept my interest.
August 16, 2012
BEST BOOK I'VE READ ALL SUMMER (AND IV'E READ LIKE 25) ITS A GREAT LOVE STORY THAT YOU HAVE TO READ
August 20, 2012
It's a light read (precisely what I was looking for at the time). The plot is simple -maybe a little TOO simple- BUT the way it is written is wonderful. Very witty, with several great one-liners ;)
January 3, 2013
Fun light romance. Predictable but less so than many.
January 28, 2014
Classic small town girl story. If you are just looking for something to read, this one would work but it won't really suck you in and hold you hostage.
Want to read
February 15, 2016352pgs, or follow her dreams, will she stay for him, he comes back into her life, she wants to leave the ozarks
October 30, 2012
Can't wait for more
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews