Try, Try Again

by Julie Stone

Riley Andrews had a perfect a beautiful son, a rewarding career, and a husband who loved staying home-until one day when he didn't want to anymore. Riley quickly transforms from working-woman to stay-at-home single mom. Before long, she realizes a successful new life is through joining the PTA. Fighting off parental miscues, her soon-to-be ex-husband, and the Association's hierarchy, Riley realizes she's in over her head. As hard as it is to admit, she needs help. Enter Sam Aldin. A widower and the only dad in the PTA, he knows what it feels like to be an outsider. Riley and Sam bond instantly as they realize the women of the Hubbard School PTA are not exactly thrilled by newcomers. Their power-play decision to chair the annual fundraiser might turn the whole organization upside down, and just might make Riley see beyond her way of doing things. One thing's certain, for a woman like Riley to survive the PTA, it sure doesn't hurt to have a man like Sam in her corner.

Genres: Chick Lit

190 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2011

About the author

Julie Stone was born a child of the seventies complete with rainbow shirts, bell bottoms and a belief in unicorns. All that whim and whimsey ushered her into the wonderful world of being a teenager in the eighties, something she has a hard time letting go of most days. I mean, the styles, the music, the movies? It was a playground for the creative mind she was growing.

Alas, she had to leave all that behind and become an adult. Graduating with a degree in English from the University of Iowa (go Hawks!) where along with a degree she also earned herself a husband. She embarked on all of the regular, boring grown up things that come with age. Until the magical world of motherhood brought along a new chapter of joy, terror and sleepless nights.  But also, nap time. Suddenly there was time to go back to her creative calling and write. Through raising two boys, several moves around the midwest, those stories and that keyboard kept her company and kept her, relatively sane. (Depending on who you ask.)

Currently settled in Iowa, she continues to pursue her love of the written word, her cats and sMothering the three boys in her life to the best of her abilities. She is the Author of three books, These Darn Heels, Deja Who? and Try, Try Again.

Reviews

[Jennifer Shirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect poolside read! Really enjoyed the the main character's character arc and how in the end Riley was able to find a new identity in her life and fit comfortably into it--after a few tries. :)

[Kate Livingston · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this story and can’t wait to read more from
Julie Stone!

[Kelly Wiech · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you need a feel good rom com , read Julie Stone. Her books are great for a quick and easy read. They are predictable and always have a giant red bow ending, but that is sometimes what I need.

[Brooke · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, this book was... boring. It was about a woman who worked while her husband stayed home, but he had an identity crisis and left her and their son. Now she has to figure out how to be a full-time, hands-on mom after eight years of being the working parent. She is suddenly engulfed in the politics of an extremely catty and immature PTA in which she can only find one friend -- a man named Sam.
Sam is married, or so she thinks and so she fights her attraction to him, feeling guilty.

I suppose you can kind of surmise what happens.

Sam's secret makes it possible for them to be together but the deception from the beginning of their acquaintance makes it hard for him to be trusted....

And the ex-husband wants a reconciliation.

Squeaky clean. Really. I saw it was purely a romance novel and was concerned, but it barely has so much as a kiss.

Quick read... so it's not a super waste of time... and if you want a simple, quick read that's fluffy and a little love-y this is your book. I wouldn't say, 'hurry out to the library and get THIS BOOK NOW!!!' I would just say, 'if you see it and happen to grab it to read, you'll have a nice little read.'

[Jayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this story of a newly single stay at home mum figuring out how to be just that, a stay at home mum. Change is hard, change you don't choose is harder.

I loved the interactions between all the parents and their children, they felt genuine and honest. Watching Riley navigate the PTA was cute and challenging. Watching Riley navigate her feelings for Sam was delightful.

A fun, medium length read.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and fast read - not a tear jerker

Despite the cliches about stay at home moms vs. working moms, this book nails it. There's no use in arguing when we're all focused on doing what's best for our children. All with sibling rivalry and dysfunctional marriages, it all works out in the end - as expected.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

So this is an Avon romance, ie clean romance...but if your divorce decree isn't finalized...should you be on the prowl? I'm just saying. Call me a party pooper, but I like to know where everyone stands legally and funny thing it turns out to be kind of an issue in this book, hmmm go figure.

[Hilary · Rating 1 out of 5]

easy, mindless story. not much to it. enjoyed the catty pta ladies as i come in to our pta's presidency...but predictable and fluffy romance

[Tracy Mccrite · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny, quick read. I felt like the end just came out of nowhere and it was done, almost like the author got bored with writing it.

[Eliza · Rating 2 out of 5]

Easy read but it just dragged on. No real conflict or attention-grabbing prose. Just...blah.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Predictable chick read.

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice clean romance.A predictable and quick read

[Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

easy read.