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Hoosier Series #1
Jack & Diane
When Diane's car breaks down during a snowstorm on an empty highway, she's fearful of the driver of the pickup truck with the confederate flag vanity plate who stops to help.
From the moment that Jack sees her warm brown eyes, he knows that his prayers have been answered. Now he just has to convince the beautiful damsel in distress of that too.
Diane Clark is an African-American law student with dreams of big city corporate takeovers. Jack Sloan is a generational farmer with a love of country music and the simple life. Can they overcome their differences and her bad impression of their first meeting to find love?
From the moment that Jack sees her warm brown eyes, he knows that his prayers have been answered. Now he just has to convince the beautiful damsel in distress of that too.
Diane Clark is an African-American law student with dreams of big city corporate takeovers. Jack Sloan is a generational farmer with a love of country music and the simple life. Can they overcome their differences and her bad impression of their first meeting to find love?
168 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 2, 2013
48 people are currently reading
196 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
August 10, 2013
I think I should have liked this more than I did. The writing was good, with a nice natural humor and dialogue. And yet, I couldn't seem to love it.
The book is rather G-rated, the love scenes are definitely fade to black/closed door -- which honestly is not a bad thing. Although I like my romances quite a bit spicier, I thought this was a nice change of pace from the all the NC-17 books that seem to proliferate.
Also the author establishes that J&D have a relationship with God. When God was first mentioned I got a bit twitchy. I don't do inspirational romances. It is a personal preference, but I just don't want God in my romance novels. However outside of establishing it as an aspect of their characters via a couple of mentions, it isn't really explored at all.
I did like the relationship between the two characters. I do think the falling in love part happened a little too fast for my taste. But I did enjoy their conversations which is where I think the book excelled. I also liked the different characters' facebook status updates.
My biggest con of the book, and probably why I didn't like more that I did, is that I think the drama felt manufactured. The characters fell in love quickly and liked each other so there was no real conflict for them. The author did not create any internal conflict that stopped them from completely engaging with each other, so she made the conflict external. But it didn't feel believable. Rather it felt more like an an obvious device inserted just to keep he couple apart for awhile.
Overall, I liked the writing, dialogue and the connection between the two mains. But had some pretty major issues with plotting.
The book is rather G-rated, the love scenes are definitely fade to black/closed door -- which honestly is not a bad thing. Although I like my romances quite a bit spicier, I thought this was a nice change of pace from the all the NC-17 books that seem to proliferate.
Also the author establishes that J&D have a relationship with God. When God was first mentioned I got a bit twitchy. I don't do inspirational romances. It is a personal preference, but I just don't want God in my romance novels. However outside of establishing it as an aspect of their characters via a couple of mentions, it isn't really explored at all.
I did like the relationship between the two characters. I do think the falling in love part happened a little too fast for my taste. But I did enjoy their conversations which is where I think the book excelled. I also liked the different characters' facebook status updates.
My biggest con of the book, and probably why I didn't like more that I did, is that I think the drama felt manufactured. The characters fell in love quickly and liked each other so there was no real conflict for them. The author did not create any internal conflict that stopped them from completely engaging with each other, so she made the conflict external. But it didn't feel believable. Rather it felt more like an an obvious device inserted just to keep he couple apart for awhile.
Overall, I liked the writing, dialogue and the connection between the two mains. But had some pretty major issues with plotting.
July 16, 2013
Although the premise was great, this story was not without its problems. While reading the book, I noticed a few issues with the flow of the storyline, a few editing issues, and areas where it just lagged. Regardless of the quirks, the author deserves much applause for crafting a sweet & not to mention romantic IRR without caving in to the industry pressure of flooding a story with an excess amount of kinky smut/erotica.
To be fair, I can only give this story 2 1/2 stars....
To be fair, I can only give this story 2 1/2 stars....
February 10, 2023
5.0⭐️This was Ms. Hampton’s debut novel. It was such a feel-good type of story. I found myself thoroughly invested in Jack and Diane's happiness and their future together. I could relate to many of the negative responses to their relationship and the confrontations on both sides----I can relate because very similar things happened to me personally, lest you think this is only an attempt to insert some tension into the story. And, I liked that realism. These confrontations were not long and drawn out, but dealt with in a very mature, sophisticated, realistic manner. The feelings between Jack and Diane were so palpable that when their heart raced, my heart raced; when they felt sadness or anger, so did I. That's what I loved about this book. I cared about all of the main characters (the exception, Mitzi and Diane's mother, although her mother did redeem herself near the end). This book had a very "inspirational" feel to it as well, and it pleased me that Jack and Diane were spiritual souls.
You will not find any explicit sex in this romantic novel, but there are marvelous kisses, touches and sexual tension for those of you who don't particularly care for scorching sex scenes. While I favor explicit sexual encounters, I only felt mild disappointment with this book’s lack of explicitness because I understood that the relationship between Jack and Diane was not about the sex. That is what's was so compelling about this book.
There were some editing issues, but they weren't so egregious as to detract from the book. All said, this was a very good, solid read.
You will not find any explicit sex in this romantic novel, but there are marvelous kisses, touches and sexual tension for those of you who don't particularly care for scorching sex scenes. While I favor explicit sexual encounters, I only felt mild disappointment with this book’s lack of explicitness because I understood that the relationship between Jack and Diane was not about the sex. That is what's was so compelling about this book.
There were some editing issues, but they weren't so egregious as to detract from the book. All said, this was a very good, solid read.
May 21, 2017
Good story
The story was okay and a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon. The only reason why I rated it a 3 instead of a 4 is because the social media status updates were very distracting. I feel like Jack and Diane needed to lay off of the oversharing on Facebook. You could have easily have taken out those snippets of Facebook updates and it wouldn't have changed the story and it didn't further the plot or give any insight on any of the characters. The page space could have been used for more scenes with Diane's family or Jack's family.
The story was okay and a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon. The only reason why I rated it a 3 instead of a 4 is because the social media status updates were very distracting. I feel like Jack and Diane needed to lay off of the oversharing on Facebook. You could have easily have taken out those snippets of Facebook updates and it wouldn't have changed the story and it didn't further the plot or give any insight on any of the characters. The page space could have been used for more scenes with Diane's family or Jack's family.
May 14, 2020
Good Stuff
This was such a wonderful read and a really good way to spend time. The writer gives us a a likable cast of characters ,dealing with real issues. I love the pace,you don't get a period where the story just stalls out. This was good writing and a feel good vibe even when the main characters are in turmoil.
This was such a wonderful read and a really good way to spend time. The writer gives us a a likable cast of characters ,dealing with real issues. I love the pace,you don't get a period where the story just stalls out. This was good writing and a feel good vibe even when the main characters are in turmoil.
June 28, 2014
I think I'm reading about 4books now,talk about multitasking!:)
Anyway,I just started this one and so far I'm impressed with this heroine, she finds her fiance cheating,she walks out and didn't allow anyone to sway her even her mother who is more concerned with the guys money and social standing than her daughter. The heroine has broken down on the side of a road in the snow and though she liked the blue eyes and smile of the guy who stopped to offer help, she didn't allow it to sway her into going in his truck or having a feeling he is trust worthy and kind and loving or she can trust him and feeling a desire she just can't resist knowing he won't hurt her like some of those other stupid heroines in other books,which usually ends up in them having sex for the rest of the book and ending with them falling in so called love, but in real life would probably end up with them raped and killed.
Yeah so far I liking this heroine, that's right now, she might do something to change my mind.
I had to stop and write that I'm happy to read that her attraction for him sent beyond the physical. So far so good
Wow,this hero is amazing,He has faith in god and when he her he was just driving around listening to music and when he had spotted her a song called, God Gave Me You, and he prayed that god would send him someone,that's when he spotted her. he believes it was god's doing that they met. I say again,WOW!!
After getting text after text from her no good jerk of an ex fiance and her mother,who should have been a shoulder for her to cry on, to lean on,a mother who took the jerks side instead of her daughter's, the heroine decided to not spend the thanksgiving holiday with her family but go back to school and study, anyway, all these text from jerk and mother killed her phone, so she was stuck out there when she broke down, she closed her eyes and prayed for God to send her someone when she opened her eyes the hero was just stepping out his truck.
I'm still reading:)
I swear that bigoted roommate of hers made me want to jump in the book and drop kick her somewhere. She thinks Jack is too good for Diane because Diane is black. Let's be honest here and excuse my language but I wanted to kick that bitches ass!!
I love Jack' s parents especially his mother,she is something else,in a good way:)
There is something that happened that I know the hero was wrong to keep the secret about, nothing really bad,but he was wrong,but the way she handled was immature,running home to mama,don't solve anything. glad things got better with her mother and happy she went back to him. I was pissed she could hurt such a wonderful man that way, he was just trying to prevent her from unnecessary pain.I have to say that issue was unnecessary, there was enough drama dealing with their exes and her mother.
I'm finally done, but I won't give any more away. This book definitely put romance back into romance novels. It was packed with such deep emotions, a true love story, not a sex story. Anyone who reads my reviews knows I'm finicky, but I loved this and it's going in my short list of favs. Now I've got to find this author's other book, I just hope it's a romance like this one.
Anyway,I just started this one and so far I'm impressed with this heroine, she finds her fiance cheating,she walks out and didn't allow anyone to sway her even her mother who is more concerned with the guys money and social standing than her daughter. The heroine has broken down on the side of a road in the snow and though she liked the blue eyes and smile of the guy who stopped to offer help, she didn't allow it to sway her into going in his truck or having a feeling he is trust worthy and kind and loving or she can trust him and feeling a desire she just can't resist knowing he won't hurt her like some of those other stupid heroines in other books,which usually ends up in them having sex for the rest of the book and ending with them falling in so called love, but in real life would probably end up with them raped and killed.
Yeah so far I liking this heroine, that's right now, she might do something to change my mind.
I had to stop and write that I'm happy to read that her attraction for him sent beyond the physical. So far so good
Wow,this hero is amazing,He has faith in god and when he her he was just driving around listening to music and when he had spotted her a song called, God Gave Me You, and he prayed that god would send him someone,that's when he spotted her. he believes it was god's doing that they met. I say again,WOW!!
After getting text after text from her no good jerk of an ex fiance and her mother,who should have been a shoulder for her to cry on, to lean on,a mother who took the jerks side instead of her daughter's, the heroine decided to not spend the thanksgiving holiday with her family but go back to school and study, anyway, all these text from jerk and mother killed her phone, so she was stuck out there when she broke down, she closed her eyes and prayed for God to send her someone when she opened her eyes the hero was just stepping out his truck.
I'm still reading:)
I swear that bigoted roommate of hers made me want to jump in the book and drop kick her somewhere. She thinks Jack is too good for Diane because Diane is black. Let's be honest here and excuse my language but I wanted to kick that bitches ass!!
I love Jack' s parents especially his mother,she is something else,in a good way:)
There is something that happened that I know the hero was wrong to keep the secret about, nothing really bad,but he was wrong,but the way she handled was immature,running home to mama,don't solve anything. glad things got better with her mother and happy she went back to him. I was pissed she could hurt such a wonderful man that way, he was just trying to prevent her from unnecessary pain.I have to say that issue was unnecessary, there was enough drama dealing with their exes and her mother.
I'm finally done, but I won't give any more away. This book definitely put romance back into romance novels. It was packed with such deep emotions, a true love story, not a sex story. Anyone who reads my reviews knows I'm finicky, but I loved this and it's going in my short list of favs. Now I've got to find this author's other book, I just hope it's a romance like this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 20, 2014
Jack is a very gentle, sweet loving man who works on his family farm. He had to give up his personal dream due to his father’s illness in order to keep their family farm. Jack wants to find someone he can love and settle down. He prays to God and asks him to find him a mate. Well Jack believes his prayer has been answered when he stops to help Diane by the side of the road where her car has broken down and he is instantly drawn to her.
Diane is returning back to her apartment after discovering her former boyfriend in a compromising position. Diane is a warm genuine woman who has her own dreams and ambitions to become a Partner in a prestigious legal firm when she has completed her studies. She is upset with not only her ex-boyfriend but her mother who thinks Dr Insincere is the best match for her even though he has proven himself to be unworthy of her. Her mother thinks she should give him another chance. Diane meets Jack (who is white) when he comes to her aid because her car has come to a standstill. Diane thinks he may be a racist due to the confederate flag on his vehicle.
When entering into a interracial relationship one has to deal with the views and opinions of your friends and family. Jack’s family and friends are very accepting of Jack’s relationship with Diane and embraces her. Diane’s friends and family are not so embracing. Diane get’s a shock by the views of her flatmate and Diane’s mother’s attitude is also shocking.
This was a very romantic, honest, loving story. In trying to protect Diane and their relationship Jack does make a couple of mistakes that Diane takes him to task for and one which she needs time to think through. They work through all their barriers to love and love does conquer all in the end. There is no erotica in this book which does not detract from the story whatsoever. I enjoyed the relationship and interaction between Diane and Jack. I would recommend book this as a great story to read!
Diane is returning back to her apartment after discovering her former boyfriend in a compromising position. Diane is a warm genuine woman who has her own dreams and ambitions to become a Partner in a prestigious legal firm when she has completed her studies. She is upset with not only her ex-boyfriend but her mother who thinks Dr Insincere is the best match for her even though he has proven himself to be unworthy of her. Her mother thinks she should give him another chance. Diane meets Jack (who is white) when he comes to her aid because her car has come to a standstill. Diane thinks he may be a racist due to the confederate flag on his vehicle.
When entering into a interracial relationship one has to deal with the views and opinions of your friends and family. Jack’s family and friends are very accepting of Jack’s relationship with Diane and embraces her. Diane’s friends and family are not so embracing. Diane get’s a shock by the views of her flatmate and Diane’s mother’s attitude is also shocking.
This was a very romantic, honest, loving story. In trying to protect Diane and their relationship Jack does make a couple of mistakes that Diane takes him to task for and one which she needs time to think through. They work through all their barriers to love and love does conquer all in the end. There is no erotica in this book which does not detract from the story whatsoever. I enjoyed the relationship and interaction between Diane and Jack. I would recommend book this as a great story to read!
December 24, 2013
3 1/2 Stars
Jack and Diane was a cute, fun IRR read. The idea was sweet and the characters ranging from great to mediocre. Like all novels Jack and Diane had its issues, but it also had a couple thumbs up, of course factoring in the short length.
Jack is a small country white boy with hypnotizing blue eyes, a voice that'll make you call on Jesus, and the passion and heart of a poet...only thing is that he has a mullet!
I liked Jack's character, although in all bookality (yupp book reality) I really didn't know who he was. He's a guy that just so happens to be a farmer, but has the voice of an angelic angel? I was very lost when it came to Jack and the only thing I was sure about was that he had it bad for Diane, but I couldn't fall in love with his character because I feel like I didn't know him. Maybe if the book would have been longer I would have been more pro-Jack.
Diane is a city girl that is striving for passion and finds in an unlikely place...stranded left to the wills of a white guy that has a confederacy flag on his license plate.
I'm a little bias when it comes to Diane. Her and I are so much alike that I was like, 'is Ms. Hampton writing about me?,' but as a whole her character was very confusing. She didn't really seem like she knew who she was, although I loved he humor and attitude.
This novel really should have been longer, it lacked that spark that makes a page turner and have the book electrifying. I honestly think Diane could have done better, just like this book could have been better.
Jack and Diane was a cute, fun IRR read. The idea was sweet and the characters ranging from great to mediocre. Like all novels Jack and Diane had its issues, but it also had a couple thumbs up, of course factoring in the short length.
Jack is a small country white boy with hypnotizing blue eyes, a voice that'll make you call on Jesus, and the passion and heart of a poet...only thing is that he has a mullet!
I liked Jack's character, although in all bookality (yupp book reality) I really didn't know who he was. He's a guy that just so happens to be a farmer, but has the voice of an angelic angel? I was very lost when it came to Jack and the only thing I was sure about was that he had it bad for Diane, but I couldn't fall in love with his character because I feel like I didn't know him. Maybe if the book would have been longer I would have been more pro-Jack.
Diane is a city girl that is striving for passion and finds in an unlikely place...stranded left to the wills of a white guy that has a confederacy flag on his license plate.
I'm a little bias when it comes to Diane. Her and I are so much alike that I was like, 'is Ms. Hampton writing about me?,' but as a whole her character was very confusing. She didn't really seem like she knew who she was, although I loved he humor and attitude.
This novel really should have been longer, it lacked that spark that makes a page turner and have the book electrifying. I honestly think Diane could have done better, just like this book could have been better.
September 27, 2013
This book was okay. It started off pretty decently but I really struggled with the story 3/4 in. There's an estrangement that takes place due to Jack's indiscretion and dishonesty yet everyone, Jack included, places the blame on Diane. I think this story had a lot of potential, especially since the couple claimed to be Christians but it fell short in my opinion. I understand temptation and feeling hot and bothered but the characters didn't seem to see any sort of disconnect between groping each other one minute (pre-marital, mind you) and talking about God the next. I'm not a prude by any means but I appreciate it when characters that claim to be religious live out their beliefs as opposed to just doing lip service. If they struggled a bit more with their sexual tension and at least acknowledged the inconsistency of their actions, then I would have appreciated their integrity. I personally prefer The Marriage Curve to this novel.
May 26, 2018
Boring!!!
This was an ok read...
I thought Jack was the bomb but a little too good to be true, because in real life, this does not happen has such... Now, Diane was well even less real than him, but a little bit more believable because more was said about her and her family.
I thought that jack's family was just a little bit too nice and not so realistic, nothing like that will and can happened as such in real life let alone in a book. I know reading is to help you escape for a little bit, but not like that with so unrealistic expectations. This was really not the best and I don't think I will be reading this author anymore.
This story had so much potential, so much opening to dive in it, educate and give each readers this sense of not only belonging to the story, but escaping as well and even maybe put themselves in the storyline a bit yet nothing like that happened. No wonder I only read within an hour...
This was an ok read...
I thought Jack was the bomb but a little too good to be true, because in real life, this does not happen has such... Now, Diane was well even less real than him, but a little bit more believable because more was said about her and her family.
I thought that jack's family was just a little bit too nice and not so realistic, nothing like that will and can happened as such in real life let alone in a book. I know reading is to help you escape for a little bit, but not like that with so unrealistic expectations. This was really not the best and I don't think I will be reading this author anymore.
This story had so much potential, so much opening to dive in it, educate and give each readers this sense of not only belonging to the story, but escaping as well and even maybe put themselves in the storyline a bit yet nothing like that happened. No wonder I only read within an hour...
December 10, 2024
I cannot take this novel seriously.
First, the novel begins with Diane meeting Jack, with Jack driving a car with confederate flag license plate. Somehow, Jack being all creepy and pushing Diane for a date doesn't trigger alarm bells for Diane. Diane being a Black woman, alone by herself in the middle of nowhere street, meeting a white guy driving a car with confederate flag license plate, and that white guy keeps bugging her for a date. To me, this is premise of a serial killer KKK novel, not a romance novel.
I personally don't feel like this is romance. If you put this in real life context, I'll be calling all my friends and parents to let them know my whereabouts and if I'm gone, call the cops.
Jack as love interest gives me the creeps. I don't like how he keeps hounding Diane for a date, just being a creepy stalker. I can't.
One star overall.
First, the novel begins with Diane meeting Jack, with Jack driving a car with confederate flag license plate. Somehow, Jack being all creepy and pushing Diane for a date doesn't trigger alarm bells for Diane. Diane being a Black woman, alone by herself in the middle of nowhere street, meeting a white guy driving a car with confederate flag license plate, and that white guy keeps bugging her for a date. To me, this is premise of a serial killer KKK novel, not a romance novel.
I personally don't feel like this is romance. If you put this in real life context, I'll be calling all my friends and parents to let them know my whereabouts and if I'm gone, call the cops.
Jack as love interest gives me the creeps. I don't like how he keeps hounding Diane for a date, just being a creepy stalker. I can't.
One star overall.
September 13, 2020
Loved this book
Read this book some 3 years ago. Loved it then but not used to giving reviews. Loved it so much that I made sure to real the Nori and Coppers story and Amara and Ryan's story. Loved the series survived Diane and Jack's story the most. 3 years late I re-read the story and enjoyed it even more.
I am now reading her new series and can't wait for book 2 Of the Breedloves series.
Read this book some 3 years ago. Loved it then but not used to giving reviews. Loved it so much that I made sure to real the Nori and Coppers story and Amara and Ryan's story. Loved the series survived Diane and Jack's story the most. 3 years late I re-read the story and enjoyed it even more.
I am now reading her new series and can't wait for book 2 Of the Breedloves series.
May 7, 2020
Great first effort
Could have a better editor; but it was a fantastic first effort. I read " Whiskey Kisses" first and really enjoyed it; but I think that this book was hilarious. I did a lot of highlighting of different phrases that made me laugh out loud. I'd recommend this new author to anyone and am looking forward to reading the rest of her catalog.
Could have a better editor; but it was a fantastic first effort. I read " Whiskey Kisses" first and really enjoyed it; but I think that this book was hilarious. I did a lot of highlighting of different phrases that made me laugh out loud. I'd recommend this new author to anyone and am looking forward to reading the rest of her catalog.
August 7, 2021
Wow....
This book has everything.... Sweetness, spirituality, low key sexiness.....
When Diane's car breaks down Jack stops to help. Diane is leery but he turned out to be more than she could imagine.
This book has everything.... Sweetness, spirituality, low key sexiness.....
When Diane's car breaks down Jack stops to help. Diane is leery but he turned out to be more than she could imagine.
March 18, 2018
Fast read
Love the story..fairytale happy ever after. Since owning this book,I have read it more then once. It's just a sweet book.
Love the story..fairytale happy ever after. Since owning this book,I have read it more then once. It's just a sweet book.
April 16, 2020
Worth the read
Clean fast paced with many surprises and ups and downs. Crazy ex's and an even crazy other. I recommend this book and would re-read it again.
Clean fast paced with many surprises and ups and downs. Crazy ex's and an even crazy other. I recommend this book and would re-read it again.
September 9, 2024
A delightful and sweet romance. You will fall in love with these characters.
February 17, 2017
What I Liked/What Worked
I like the using of the song, Jack & Diane to show a different type of Jack and Diane. I really like Jack's spirit and temperament. The line on page 25, "The first guy you meet after a breakup is always far more perfect in light of the transgressions of your ex," is too funny and too true. I also enjoyed the reality in this text. Jack asks his mother if she is ok with Diane being black. I like Amara. She is a good balance character in this text and also gives real advice. I thought the reaction of Diane's black male friend was perfect and real. I have seen black males who date out of race react very negativity when black females do also. Since I have discovered this text post 2013, the other two books in the series have been published. I thought the author did a good job of foreshadowing those stories. I like that Alan was at the rehearsal dinner. Everyone finally realized that Diane and Jack were truly in love and exes were not going to break them up. I thought is was interesting that Misti tells Jack that she may not forgive him for dating Diane in chapter 12, but wants to stop his marriage in chapter 14. I laughed at the thought of Misti coming to the wedding on Alan's arm. Both characters had exes who would not accept no for an answer.
What I Did Not Like/What Did Not Work
If possible, I would have given this text 2.5 stars. While there was no major issues, there wasn't sex scenes! I read romance for the story and the sex. Don't judge. The author paints Diane's mother, Catherine, as a dictator. I could/did not like her and the author made that very easy to do. She is the foil to Jack: negative to positive. The very first chapter clues the reader on to the mother's character when she advises Diane to forgive Alan for his cheating. I understand the author was trying to show that Catherine really does love Diane, but she is too hard and was extremely rude to Jack in chapter 9. I also felt Diane's father, Robert, was very weak, not standing up to his wife. I thought Diane picking up and looking through Jack's IPOD was out of character. She was just so frightened of him that she would not sit in his warm truck and after being in his vehicle she picks up his IPOD without asking?
Questions
I wondered if the roommate was more jealous that Diane was with a handsome white man and he was not interested in her. I really wondered how the roommate's reaction was such a surprise. Diane has know her since freshman year. I feel that at some point, interracial dating has come up. As a reader, I have a hard time accepting this scene. If the roommate is so opposed to Diane and Jack dating, why didn't she tell Diane's parents why Diane is not living there any longer? There are some typos and awkward sentences. An example is on page 109, 4th paragraph, "Dad passed out. Di, I know you have finals, but I could sure use to see you right now." The phone call in chapter 13 was confusing. Catherine is upset because Diane has not included her in any of the wedding plans, but why would Diane when Catherine is not happy about the marriage? Was this call to show that Diane is maturing and making her own decisions and moving away from her mother's control? I was lost in time in chapter 18. They have spent the day and night in bed. The next morning, Diane tells Jack she has called her college professor that afternoon. Wasn't sure how she was able to do that.
I like the using of the song, Jack & Diane to show a different type of Jack and Diane. I really like Jack's spirit and temperament. The line on page 25, "The first guy you meet after a breakup is always far more perfect in light of the transgressions of your ex," is too funny and too true. I also enjoyed the reality in this text. Jack asks his mother if she is ok with Diane being black. I like Amara. She is a good balance character in this text and also gives real advice. I thought the reaction of Diane's black male friend was perfect and real. I have seen black males who date out of race react very negativity when black females do also. Since I have discovered this text post 2013, the other two books in the series have been published. I thought the author did a good job of foreshadowing those stories. I like that Alan was at the rehearsal dinner. Everyone finally realized that Diane and Jack were truly in love and exes were not going to break them up. I thought is was interesting that Misti tells Jack that she may not forgive him for dating Diane in chapter 12, but wants to stop his marriage in chapter 14. I laughed at the thought of Misti coming to the wedding on Alan's arm. Both characters had exes who would not accept no for an answer.
What I Did Not Like/What Did Not Work
If possible, I would have given this text 2.5 stars. While there was no major issues, there wasn't sex scenes! I read romance for the story and the sex. Don't judge. The author paints Diane's mother, Catherine, as a dictator. I could/did not like her and the author made that very easy to do. She is the foil to Jack: negative to positive. The very first chapter clues the reader on to the mother's character when she advises Diane to forgive Alan for his cheating. I understand the author was trying to show that Catherine really does love Diane, but she is too hard and was extremely rude to Jack in chapter 9. I also felt Diane's father, Robert, was very weak, not standing up to his wife. I thought Diane picking up and looking through Jack's IPOD was out of character. She was just so frightened of him that she would not sit in his warm truck and after being in his vehicle she picks up his IPOD without asking?
Questions
I wondered if the roommate was more jealous that Diane was with a handsome white man and he was not interested in her. I really wondered how the roommate's reaction was such a surprise. Diane has know her since freshman year. I feel that at some point, interracial dating has come up. As a reader, I have a hard time accepting this scene. If the roommate is so opposed to Diane and Jack dating, why didn't she tell Diane's parents why Diane is not living there any longer? There are some typos and awkward sentences. An example is on page 109, 4th paragraph, "Dad passed out. Di, I know you have finals, but I could sure use to see you right now." The phone call in chapter 13 was confusing. Catherine is upset because Diane has not included her in any of the wedding plans, but why would Diane when Catherine is not happy about the marriage? Was this call to show that Diane is maturing and making her own decisions and moving away from her mother's control? I was lost in time in chapter 18. They have spent the day and night in bed. The next morning, Diane tells Jack she has called her college professor that afternoon. Wasn't sure how she was able to do that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 29, 2014
"Jack and Diane" is a contemporary NA romance about an interracial couple. She's a black law school student at IU-Bloomington and he's a white musician-turned farmer. This is not the usual boy-meets-girl, then loses her through a series of disastrous decisions, then finally gets girl. This story details the trials their past and present that affect their relationship.
This was a quick-read romance. I read it in one sitting. It was refreshing to see there weren't a lot of stereotypes played out here. It is Diane's side that has issues with her relationship with Jack, and not necessary because he's white. The hook pulls you in immediately: she's stranded on the side of the road during a snowstorm and the person who rescues her has a Confederate flag vanity plate on the front of his car. But that's where most of the tension ends. The major conflicts don't really come in until almost the last third of the book. The characters are presented as Christians, but this isn't Christian fiction. For me, I liked that the physical desire Jack and Diane have for one another was not glossed over because they go to church and pray. The author managed to successfully make the balance between hot passion and keeping the bedroom door closed. I also liked how each chapter is wrapped up with them updating their social media status as mechanism to reveal their internal struggles. Very contemporary.
Unfortunately, there were more than a few editing errors in the book. More than enough to pull me from the story too many times. There was a reference to the Caribbean OCEAN, not SEA, things like that. The dialect of Diane's mother was meant for her to sound proper and distinguish her from Jack's laid-back mother. But it came off as stilted and mechanical. There was also a lot of head-hopping where we are taken from one point of view (POV) to another in the same scene. Though Jack and Diane are the primary characters, the reader spends time (though very limited) in every other characters' heads, too. Those POVs didn't do anything to advance the plot between Jack and Diane, nor did it give any insight into their internal conflicts. There was a lot of unnecessary explanations of emotions that would have been better achieved through staying in one POV in the scene and then using their actions/reactions to convey those feelings. This might have been an attempt on the part of the author to use omniscient POV, but for me, it didn't work. In romance, the internal conflicts are key to the development of the relationship between the protagonists, and I didn't get that here. With all the head-hopping, it made it difficult to get too deep inside the main characters. I also thought the story line with Misti should have been introduced earlier. It would have added tension to the nearly-perfect romance. Instead, it felt forced.
Overall, this is a feel good romance. I thought the writing and dialogue were crisp and believable for the age of the main characters. Fans of romance and even those readers of Christian fiction romance who like their love stories clean and on the fringe would enjoy this.
This was a quick-read romance. I read it in one sitting. It was refreshing to see there weren't a lot of stereotypes played out here. It is Diane's side that has issues with her relationship with Jack, and not necessary because he's white. The hook pulls you in immediately: she's stranded on the side of the road during a snowstorm and the person who rescues her has a Confederate flag vanity plate on the front of his car. But that's where most of the tension ends. The major conflicts don't really come in until almost the last third of the book. The characters are presented as Christians, but this isn't Christian fiction. For me, I liked that the physical desire Jack and Diane have for one another was not glossed over because they go to church and pray. The author managed to successfully make the balance between hot passion and keeping the bedroom door closed. I also liked how each chapter is wrapped up with them updating their social media status as mechanism to reveal their internal struggles. Very contemporary.
Unfortunately, there were more than a few editing errors in the book. More than enough to pull me from the story too many times. There was a reference to the Caribbean OCEAN, not SEA, things like that. The dialect of Diane's mother was meant for her to sound proper and distinguish her from Jack's laid-back mother. But it came off as stilted and mechanical. There was also a lot of head-hopping where we are taken from one point of view (POV) to another in the same scene. Though Jack and Diane are the primary characters, the reader spends time (though very limited) in every other characters' heads, too. Those POVs didn't do anything to advance the plot between Jack and Diane, nor did it give any insight into their internal conflicts. There was a lot of unnecessary explanations of emotions that would have been better achieved through staying in one POV in the scene and then using their actions/reactions to convey those feelings. This might have been an attempt on the part of the author to use omniscient POV, but for me, it didn't work. In romance, the internal conflicts are key to the development of the relationship between the protagonists, and I didn't get that here. With all the head-hopping, it made it difficult to get too deep inside the main characters. I also thought the story line with Misti should have been introduced earlier. It would have added tension to the nearly-perfect romance. Instead, it felt forced.
Overall, this is a feel good romance. I thought the writing and dialogue were crisp and believable for the age of the main characters. Fans of romance and even those readers of Christian fiction romance who like their love stories clean and on the fringe would enjoy this.
July 29, 2013
This story was just what I was needing. It was a nice romance that was fast paced and realistic. I will definitely read the upcoming installment(s). The religious aspect of the story was nice and also that some things were left up to the imagination. There were some minor grammatical errors, but not so bad that it took away from the story. In my opinion the story was so good I really wanted it to be longer! Chances of re-read = highly likely
October 19, 2013
This was a good book. It was sweet and funny. It had a few serious aspects to it, racism, infidelity, and family drama. I loved the characters. I really don't have anything bad to say about this one. I just wished it had some steam. It wasn't YA, but it wasn't NA. In between. It is a about a country boy and a city slicker that find love. I loved it. I found a few errors, but not extremely bad. For her first book, she did well. I look forward to seeing what she has in store.
January 24, 2014
i actually enjoyed the light flow of the book. yeah the ex gf claiming pregnancy is pretty cliché however it was a sweet romance. i truly was expecting a full blown spicy love scene from all of the foreplay and teasing the author gave me and was a bit put off when it was left to my imagination however it didn't detract from the story. I will continue to read from this author and looking forward to Noli and Coopers story
May 6, 2014
3.5 I really enjoyed this love story of Jack and Diane. Jack and his Momma were just precious, and it was easy to see why Diane fell in love with them both so quickly. Diane's Mother was interesting to say the least, but it was good to see them come together in the end. I also loved the set up of stories to come with the characters of Noli and Cooper and Ryan and Amara. I hope that we will get additional glimpses of Jack and Diane in these future stories.
May 23, 2015
Love like this
I so love this book!!!! I thought this was the sweetest, dearest, daring yet loving love story ever. It was good to see how this relationship begins. How opposites do attract each other. I loved the fact that no matter how much Diane and Jack wanted each other, they still wait until they were married. Yes I would recommend this to my friends too read. It's so worth it.
I so love this book!!!! I thought this was the sweetest, dearest, daring yet loving love story ever. It was good to see how this relationship begins. How opposites do attract each other. I loved the fact that no matter how much Diane and Jack wanted each other, they still wait until they were married. Yes I would recommend this to my friends too read. It's so worth it.
October 2, 2015
Yes! I actually loved Jack and Diane.
I have been running into some not so great books and needed a short book that I hoped like hell gave me some type of feeling... anything other than BLAH... Welp... Jack and Diane gave me exactly what I was looking for.. it was a very sweet read. I will say however I could have used a little more drama like maybe the outcome of misti's situation being a little different...( I won't spoil it for folks) but other than that I actually enjoyed this book.
I have been running into some not so great books and needed a short book that I hoped like hell gave me some type of feeling... anything other than BLAH... Welp... Jack and Diane gave me exactly what I was looking for.. it was a very sweet read. I will say however I could have used a little more drama like maybe the outcome of misti's situation being a little different...( I won't spoil it for folks) but other than that I actually enjoyed this book.
September 15, 2013
It was an okay read, the mother of Diane was a bit much to take and the relationship between Jack and Diane was a bit rushed. I felt cheated because Diane was a virgin and the honeymoon was skipped over like it was not significant to the story. It's hard to recommend this one but I will only because the overall story was a sweet one.
December 16, 2013
"Jack and Diane" is a well-crafted romantic story that explores the intricacies of interracial relations without exploiting it. You instantly become invested in the characters, who seem very genuine from the start. If you want a pure, interesting read...this is a great novel to add to your collection. Being from the area where the story took place (Indiana) was an added bonus :)
December 8, 2013
Jack and Diane was a very good read. I was hesitant due to the title, (hence the song) but I was wrong. I loved the conflict between the two characters. I literally read this book in a night. My only issue with the book is that Jack seems like a very conflicted character, and I would like to see more character development there. Maybe in the next book??? ;)
July 21, 2015
A Very Sweet Interracial Romance
Jack and Diane is very sweet and good interracial romance that earned a five star rating. The book is a well written inspirational romance of two very different people who found love in each other. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to read inspirational romance books.
Jack and Diane is very sweet and good interracial romance that earned a five star rating. The book is a well written inspirational romance of two very different people who found love in each other. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to read inspirational romance books.
July 1, 2016
This one was a nice, quick read. Jack and Diane were nice characters and they had decent chemistry. I haven't read a lot of IR New adult books, but this one wasn't bad. And a male lead who wasn't the typical tattooed Casanova found in most NA romance was a definite plus.
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