Kick Start

Cross Springs #1

by Caren Crane

Linda Dowling's husband traded her in for a younger model, and she clung to the only life and home her kids knew. Easiest thing by far when her heart was broken and her small town was filled with folks who commonly mistook their neighbor's concerns for their own. But even in Cross Springs, NC, time moves on and starts to heal the most grievous of wounds. Linda shakes things up, goes back to college and—gasp!—starts dating a younger man.

Suddenly everyone in Cross Springs has something to say about her life—and Linda is faced with hard choices. Does she bow to comfortable roles and old expectations? Or does she give herself a Kick Start and pursue the kind of love she never thought she would find?

Genres: Contemporary Romance

239 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2013

Reviews

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really good story I loved how Linda at 39 newly divorced mother of 3 comes to terms with life and finding love again but first she must get to know herself and the hurdles this brings kept me turning the pages great story I look forward to more from MS Crane

[Deb Marlowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this women's fiction novel. It has a great, relatable heroine I could cheer for, a charming hottie, precocious kids, wacky family and neighbors and an ex I was happy to see gone from Linda's life! I see that Caren is planning more Cross Springs novels. I can't wait to read them!

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great read it just ended way too soon!

[Jessica Adkins-Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kickstart, a novel about starting over and moving on, is one enjoyable read.

Linda, a divorcee mother of three, is starting over and getting her life back on track after her husband leaves her for another woman. Looking for a new start, and an income to help support her family, Linda heads back to school.

Back to school, a makeover, and a sexy young guy seem to be just the things that Linda needs to move on and yet she still finds herself at a standstill. Wondering about what her neighbors and friends will think about her relationship, along with her children, Linda tries to put off her feelings only to find out that in the end, some things are just worth it.


Kickstart shows that moving on can be scary, but with family, friends, and new love interests, anything can happen. Linda finds out that life is what you make of it, and you are who you want to be....In the end it seems that Linda figures herself out and what matters in life.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book! I was hooked from the first page. I loved Linda's story and how she struggles with trying to cope and survive after her divorce. She decides that the only way for her to pay her bills and take care of her three children is to go back to school. When she goes to school she meets the sexy younger man Jack. I love how the author brought out Linda's fears with starting to date after being married for nineteen years. I also love how the author explained all of the challenges that a single mom faces everyday. I loved this story and was easily able to relate to the Linda because I experienced some of the same things as a single mom and also married a younger man. I loved all of the characters in this book and can't wait to read more books by this author.

A Review copy was provided to me in exchange for a fair and honest review. The free book held no determination on my personal review.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book couldn't put it down. I loved all the characters, I found the story vey well written. I recommened it to everybody, it had funny moments, romance, & OMG parts, I loved it can't wait to read something else from caren crane.

[Sabrina Jeffries · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought this was a fabulous women's fiction novel! Very exciting and the characters were endearing. I loved it!

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted more to the ending; it does lead you to the happily ever after which is great. I just wanted more!