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Labor of Love
From the author of Trouble from the Start and The Boyfriend League comes a sweet summer romance, perfect for fans of Stephanie Perkins, Lauren Barnholdt and Susane Colasanti.
Dawn has found the perfect way to forget her cheating boyfriend: leave town for the summer and do something very distracting, like volunteering to help rebuild storm-torn New Orleans. But when she meets handsome, kind Brady, Dawn realizes she could be fixing more than a devastated house—she might also be able to repair her broken heart.
Dawn has found the perfect way to forget her cheating boyfriend: leave town for the summer and do something very distracting, like volunteering to help rebuild storm-torn New Orleans. But when she meets handsome, kind Brady, Dawn realizes she could be fixing more than a devastated house—she might also be able to repair her broken heart.
296 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2008
31 people are currently reading
2095 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Hawthorne
30 books1,616 followersaka Jade Parker and also writes with her son as J.A. London
(also writes romance under Lorraine Heath)
Rachel Hawthorne, who also writes as Lorraine Heath and Jade Parker, is the daughter of a British beauty (her mother won second place in a beauty contest sponsored by Max Factor® during which she received a kiss from Caesar Romero-who played the Joker on the old Batman TV series) and a Texan who was stationed at Bovingdon while serving in the air force. Lorraine was born in Watford, Herts, England, but soon after moved to Texas. Her "dual" nationality has given her a love for all things British and Texan. She enjoys weaving both heritages through her stories.
When she received her BA degree in psychology from the University of Texas, she had no idea she had gained a foundation that would help her to create believable characters—characters that are often described as “real people.” She writes for both adult and young adult readers. She received a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for Americana historicals. Her novels have been recognized with a RITA, Romance Writers of America’s most prestigious award for excellence, a HOLT medallion award honoring outstanding literary fiction, a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award, five Texas Gold Awards, the Golden Quill Award, the Rising Star Award as well as other awards and recognitions. Her novels have been selections of the Doubleday and Rhapsody Book Club. Her novels have appeared on bestseller lists, including USA Today, Waldenbooks, and most recently, the New York Times.
(also writes romance under Lorraine Heath)
Rachel Hawthorne, who also writes as Lorraine Heath and Jade Parker, is the daughter of a British beauty (her mother won second place in a beauty contest sponsored by Max Factor® during which she received a kiss from Caesar Romero-who played the Joker on the old Batman TV series) and a Texan who was stationed at Bovingdon while serving in the air force. Lorraine was born in Watford, Herts, England, but soon after moved to Texas. Her "dual" nationality has given her a love for all things British and Texan. She enjoys weaving both heritages through her stories.
When she received her BA degree in psychology from the University of Texas, she had no idea she had gained a foundation that would help her to create believable characters—characters that are often described as “real people.” She writes for both adult and young adult readers. She received a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for Americana historicals. Her novels have been recognized with a RITA, Romance Writers of America’s most prestigious award for excellence, a HOLT medallion award honoring outstanding literary fiction, a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award, five Texas Gold Awards, the Golden Quill Award, the Rising Star Award as well as other awards and recognitions. Her novels have been selections of the Doubleday and Rhapsody Book Club. Her novels have appeared on bestseller lists, including USA Today, Waldenbooks, and most recently, the New York Times.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
November 12, 2012
Reviewed by Jennifer Rummel for TeensReadToo.com
How do you get over your first boyfriend - especially when he cheated on you?
A summer away rebuilding houses in New Orleans is Dawn's plan. But that was before she, Jenna, and Amber went to a psychic.
Now, there's a stranger with a red baseball hat in Dawn's future.
Later that day, she and her friends are in a bakery when an attractive boy with a great smile catches her eye. He also happens to be wearing a red baseball cap. The girls talk briefly with him and his friends and exit the bakery to explore the city more, but end up running into them again in a restaurant.
Could it be fate?
Rachel Hawthorne pens another delightful novel about interpreting life's signs and romance.
How do you get over your first boyfriend - especially when he cheated on you?
A summer away rebuilding houses in New Orleans is Dawn's plan. But that was before she, Jenna, and Amber went to a psychic.
Now, there's a stranger with a red baseball hat in Dawn's future.
Later that day, she and her friends are in a bakery when an attractive boy with a great smile catches her eye. He also happens to be wearing a red baseball cap. The girls talk briefly with him and his friends and exit the bakery to explore the city more, but end up running into them again in a restaurant.
Could it be fate?
Rachel Hawthorne pens another delightful novel about interpreting life's signs and romance.
May 10, 2021
I wasn't aware that this was a YA book, so I was pretty uninterested in three high school girls who managed to meet three college guys while building homes in New Orleans. I'm not the target audience, but I bet younger readers would appreciate it more. I liked that the characters were spending their summer doing good for others, but they were pretty boring with very little if any growth. Still, it was a clean, safe romance and I'd suggest it to young readers or somebody who wants a soothing book before bed.
February 1, 2011
This book did such a great job of describing what it feels like to have a broken heart and to be afraid to trust again. I was on the end of my seat to see how it would all work out. You really felt like you were part of the story. And the description of New Orleans made me want to plan a trip for sure. Read! Read! Read!
December 15, 2016
Hmm... Quite cute, but I wasn't a huge fan of the characters.
July 15, 2018
Light, easy read. Nothing special.
June 11, 2016
I really don't know what I was expecting going into reading this book. I'm don't normally read romance novels, but I was in the mood, and it's been on my bookshelf for a while, so I thought why not?
I have a tendency to run into the same problem every time I read a romance novel, particularly one that's YA, and that is that I get bored. I really just tend to not have any interest in them. Mainly because it's always the same story. Girl meets boy, Girl has crush on boy, they hook up, there is an obstacle, they break up, they get back together. That was the basic plot line for this story.
I'm not saying this was bad. I didn't mind the characters, well, you know scratch that, I thought that the characters were annoying and unrelatable. They seemed very plastic to me. I knew nothing about any of them. Take the main character for example, Dawn. Dawn has a twelve year old brother, she lives in Texas, and her boyfriend cheated on her during Prom so she will never trust a boy again. That is all I know about her. I can't recall any physical descriptions about her. She felt like more of a background character then the main protagonist.
Group dates, and house building were the only events that took place in the story. I was waiting for something to happen, ANYTHING! But, nothing occurred.
Now that I am reviewing this, I see that the main flaw that this book had was it's lack of detail. If there were descriptions other than the ones about what each character was wearing (I personally hate clothing descriptions because it doesn't contribute anything to the story)then I probably would have given an extra star. Especially about Brady and Dawns kisses. They just happened, she didn't feel anything, which kind of made me sad.
It was a very meh book. I wasn't in agony while reading it, like when reading the Twilight Saga or Selection series, I simply just didn't care. Which in a way is worse. Because I felt something with those characters, even if it was anger or hatred. I didn't care what happened to these girls and it's a horrid feeling to have, not being able to connect to people, even if they are fictional.
I have a tendency to run into the same problem every time I read a romance novel, particularly one that's YA, and that is that I get bored. I really just tend to not have any interest in them. Mainly because it's always the same story. Girl meets boy, Girl has crush on boy, they hook up, there is an obstacle, they break up, they get back together. That was the basic plot line for this story.
I'm not saying this was bad. I didn't mind the characters, well, you know scratch that, I thought that the characters were annoying and unrelatable. They seemed very plastic to me. I knew nothing about any of them. Take the main character for example, Dawn. Dawn has a twelve year old brother, she lives in Texas, and her boyfriend cheated on her during Prom so she will never trust a boy again. That is all I know about her. I can't recall any physical descriptions about her. She felt like more of a background character then the main protagonist.
Group dates, and house building were the only events that took place in the story. I was waiting for something to happen, ANYTHING! But, nothing occurred.
Now that I am reviewing this, I see that the main flaw that this book had was it's lack of detail. If there were descriptions other than the ones about what each character was wearing (I personally hate clothing descriptions because it doesn't contribute anything to the story)then I probably would have given an extra star. Especially about Brady and Dawns kisses. They just happened, she didn't feel anything, which kind of made me sad.
It was a very meh book. I wasn't in agony while reading it, like when reading the Twilight Saga or Selection series, I simply just didn't care. Which in a way is worse. Because I felt something with those characters, even if it was anger or hatred. I didn't care what happened to these girls and it's a horrid feeling to have, not being able to connect to people, even if they are fictional.
July 1, 2012
Another cute and easy to read story by Rachel Hawthorne. Though her stories might get very much predictable at times, I still can't help but read them since it easily makes me swoon and smile and they're all very fast and easy to read.
Dawn and her two best friends planned on a new adventure for the summer and it is to help rebuild houses for people who have lost their homes during the hurricane. Dawn just got back from a bad break-up with her boyfriend cheating with her on prom night and now she's ready to start over in a new place, at least for this summer and help others start over too. But their plan never really includes a psychic that seems to be predicting everything a little too perfectly.
Labor of Love is definitely one of my favorite novels by Rachel Hawthorne though it might get very predictable and clichéd, it was very cute. There's really more to it than the romance that happens between its characters. I also like the idea of them helping build a house and help other people and t he title already speaks for itself. Though the title 'Labor of Love' was already overused in some aspects, but that definitely suits this story and it was very catchy I could say.
Overall, it was such a cute and enjoyable read. A novel with a cute mix of comedy, romance and a message of hope. If you’re looking for a fast, light and easy read. Check this one out and other Rachel Hawthorne books.
Dawn and her two best friends planned on a new adventure for the summer and it is to help rebuild houses for people who have lost their homes during the hurricane. Dawn just got back from a bad break-up with her boyfriend cheating with her on prom night and now she's ready to start over in a new place, at least for this summer and help others start over too. But their plan never really includes a psychic that seems to be predicting everything a little too perfectly.
Labor of Love is definitely one of my favorite novels by Rachel Hawthorne though it might get very predictable and clichéd, it was very cute. There's really more to it than the romance that happens between its characters. I also like the idea of them helping build a house and help other people and t he title already speaks for itself. Though the title 'Labor of Love' was already overused in some aspects, but that definitely suits this story and it was very catchy I could say.
Overall, it was such a cute and enjoyable read. A novel with a cute mix of comedy, romance and a message of hope. If you’re looking for a fast, light and easy read. Check this one out and other Rachel Hawthorne books.
August 12, 2018
What a cute summery romance! The main character Dawn and her two friends head to New Orleans for summer vacation to help with rebuilding after a hurricane (presumably Katrina, but the book doesn’t specifically say). Dawn is also nursing a broken heart as she and her boyfriend have broken up. She and her two friends meet a group of three guys who are also working on rebuilding and the story continues from there....
I thought the book handled Dawn’s feelings about the breakup and wanting to protect her heart very well. She really explored her feelings about her ex and processed them in order to move forward.
I loved the descriptions of New Orleans, and I thought the author captured the spirit of the city well.
I also really liked the love interest. He and Dawn were so sweet together. There was also great continuity that tied the beginning and ending together perfectly.
I thought the book handled Dawn’s feelings about the breakup and wanting to protect her heart very well. She really explored her feelings about her ex and processed them in order to move forward.
I loved the descriptions of New Orleans, and I thought the author captured the spirit of the city well.
I also really liked the love interest. He and Dawn were so sweet together. There was also great continuity that tied the beginning and ending together perfectly.
January 5, 2022
Cute quick read.
March 31, 2023
It was sort of cute I guess
November 17, 2010
~Funny pick up lines.
Fav: You must be tired, because you've been running through my mind ever since I saw you. Corny, I know.
I don't really know how to or where to start, plus I'm not really good at giving reviews, I only praise (okay, occasionally critisize, but still...) so I am sure I am not capable of giving out a bad review. Anyway, I don't have anything bad to say about this book because everything about it had been wonderful and romantic and sweet and funny. I especially loved the scene where they exchanged corny and sucky pick up lines, which I think really is humourous. And the whole psychic reading thing, it has been very inspirational. The metaphors, the riddles and puzzles to be solved, the way how everything is related to one another, and in the end it came back to one conclusion.
Now all that is in my mind is the red Kansas City Chief's cap, and the dragon tattoo, haha! And I thought of visiting New Orleans too, and supposingly it's a haunted city, going on a ghost tour or a vampire tour could really seem fun (of course if you have someone to hold on to, the experience will sort of intensify, LOL, not being cheesy...)
The great deal about this book is that it bears a very similar writing to the previous books, and I loved the word 'Bummer', plus, this book teaches me a lot of being trusting and being able to pick up the pieces. Broken hearts are the worst, but as two souls which coincidentally (or maybe fatefully) shared the same heart wrenching experience stumbled upon one another, the chances are five million to one (If you read the book you'll probably figure out this joke), and Brady is a very simple guy who simply loves to say 'okay'-meaning that he understands and that he didn't need to proof further, so next time don't be mad if someone told you okay...plenty times. But (here comes the critisizing part), I think Dawn had been a bit over the top about trying to explain how things are just 'friends' as if! But who could've blamed her, she had her heart broken!
Another thing about this book, I think Rachel had perfectly potrayed a close-knit group, how they share all their secrets and how spontaneous they could be...One of the best book ever.
Fav: You must be tired, because you've been running through my mind ever since I saw you. Corny, I know.
I don't really know how to or where to start, plus I'm not really good at giving reviews, I only praise (okay, occasionally critisize, but still...) so I am sure I am not capable of giving out a bad review. Anyway, I don't have anything bad to say about this book because everything about it had been wonderful and romantic and sweet and funny. I especially loved the scene where they exchanged corny and sucky pick up lines, which I think really is humourous. And the whole psychic reading thing, it has been very inspirational. The metaphors, the riddles and puzzles to be solved, the way how everything is related to one another, and in the end it came back to one conclusion.
Now all that is in my mind is the red Kansas City Chief's cap, and the dragon tattoo, haha! And I thought of visiting New Orleans too, and supposingly it's a haunted city, going on a ghost tour or a vampire tour could really seem fun (of course if you have someone to hold on to, the experience will sort of intensify, LOL, not being cheesy...)
The great deal about this book is that it bears a very similar writing to the previous books, and I loved the word 'Bummer', plus, this book teaches me a lot of being trusting and being able to pick up the pieces. Broken hearts are the worst, but as two souls which coincidentally (or maybe fatefully) shared the same heart wrenching experience stumbled upon one another, the chances are five million to one (If you read the book you'll probably figure out this joke), and Brady is a very simple guy who simply loves to say 'okay'-meaning that he understands and that he didn't need to proof further, so next time don't be mad if someone told you okay...plenty times. But (here comes the critisizing part), I think Dawn had been a bit over the top about trying to explain how things are just 'friends' as if! But who could've blamed her, she had her heart broken!
Another thing about this book, I think Rachel had perfectly potrayed a close-knit group, how they share all their secrets and how spontaneous they could be...One of the best book ever.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 28, 2011
This book is actually an “okay” (just how Bradey says ‘okay’) chic-flick book. I give it 3 stars because despite it’s ordinary plot, it is still quite entertaining. It had its moments wherein I felt hoity-toity and felt myself blush with Dawn’s and Bradey’s conversations. It is a good read for teens like me. And even though the book is mostly about psychic paranoia, crush denial, and kissing, I would still recommend it to my classmates and high school students like me.
The likable thing about this book is that I was able to relate to what Dawn Danley was feeling. I know the feeling of being hurt, being skeptic to boys and rebuilding again even though I never had a boyfriend myself (but had my heart broken, yes). There’s just so much truth about refusing to open your heart after a break-up or something to that nature. I read this book in such the right time when I can relate to it the most. I also found the little things that Dawn sees about Bradley (his chest, his hand, how he puts his sunglasses two seconds before going under the sun). While others may find it irritating, I found it rather funny for the reason that I notice those little things in a certain guy myself. There’s just something about noticing a lot when you fancy a guy that makes everything about him cute. THAT, I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND. Well at least, now I know, that I am still sane and whatever goes around my head is completely normal for teens like me to feel about boys. Phew. I actually am starting to think that what I am feeling is getting out of the norm and I am suffering from guy obsession insanity that I ought to consult a psychiatrist soon before it gets out of control. Okay, before my review gets too personal, I should state my general opinion about this book:
‘Labor of Love’ is not the best chic-flick book nor does it even have interest on being one. All I could say is that this is a good airplane book if you want something light or you’re set on a trip to rebuild a broken heart.
The likable thing about this book is that I was able to relate to what Dawn Danley was feeling. I know the feeling of being hurt, being skeptic to boys and rebuilding again even though I never had a boyfriend myself (but had my heart broken, yes). There’s just so much truth about refusing to open your heart after a break-up or something to that nature. I read this book in such the right time when I can relate to it the most. I also found the little things that Dawn sees about Bradley (his chest, his hand, how he puts his sunglasses two seconds before going under the sun). While others may find it irritating, I found it rather funny for the reason that I notice those little things in a certain guy myself. There’s just something about noticing a lot when you fancy a guy that makes everything about him cute. THAT, I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND. Well at least, now I know, that I am still sane and whatever goes around my head is completely normal for teens like me to feel about boys. Phew. I actually am starting to think that what I am feeling is getting out of the norm and I am suffering from guy obsession insanity that I ought to consult a psychiatrist soon before it gets out of control. Okay, before my review gets too personal, I should state my general opinion about this book:
‘Labor of Love’ is not the best chic-flick book nor does it even have interest on being one. All I could say is that this is a good airplane book if you want something light or you’re set on a trip to rebuild a broken heart.
April 7, 2014
Labor Of Love
4stars
I was skeptical at first about reading this, what's with all that psychic powers predicting the future. But of course, the idea brought excitement and questions about what will happen. I actually began to be interested with the psychic and i started thinking whether maybe it's true or what. And what i truly like about this book is that it got me thinking about the future and how one prediction can affect the way wee see and act in the future. It's creepy how things started to happen and in predictably unpredictable way. Maybe it's all the mind, maybe it's whether you believe and make it happen or maybe it's not true at all but this story just prove one thing: You make your own future, be it known or unknown.
4stars
I was skeptical at first about reading this, what's with all that psychic powers predicting the future. But of course, the idea brought excitement and questions about what will happen. I actually began to be interested with the psychic and i started thinking whether maybe it's true or what. And what i truly like about this book is that it got me thinking about the future and how one prediction can affect the way wee see and act in the future. It's creepy how things started to happen and in predictably unpredictable way. Maybe it's all the mind, maybe it's whether you believe and make it happen or maybe it's not true at all but this story just prove one thing: You make your own future, be it known or unknown.
December 30, 2010
(sorry for spelling)
This book made me laugh. And over stupid things. When the guys start telling them their horrible pick up lines at the restruant I seriously went into a fit of laughter. It could have been that I was reading it at 2:40 in the morning, who knows! but when a book makes me laugh I consider it at least 4 stars.
Just in general this book was good. Sure there are some parts that are unrealistic. But if I wanted something realistic I wouldn't be reading fiction.
So if your looking at reviews to see if you should read this book. I sincerely suggest you read it. It's worth it like her other books are!!
This book made me laugh. And over stupid things. When the guys start telling them their horrible pick up lines at the restruant I seriously went into a fit of laughter. It could have been that I was reading it at 2:40 in the morning, who knows! but when a book makes me laugh I consider it at least 4 stars.
Just in general this book was good. Sure there are some parts that are unrealistic. But if I wanted something realistic I wouldn't be reading fiction.
So if your looking at reviews to see if you should read this book. I sincerely suggest you read it. It's worth it like her other books are!!
December 13, 2010
This book does a good job of exploring the pain and angry of breaking up with someone you care about deeply as well as the repair work that is needed to move on.
Dawn caught her boyfriend (first kiss boyfriend) making out with another girl at prom her junior year. She spends the next summer volunteering to clean-up after hurrican Katrina and plans for no boys. But fate had a different idea.
I love Racel Hawthornes books. She gets a lot of things about teenage hearts right and writes fun books.
Dawn caught her boyfriend (first kiss boyfriend) making out with another girl at prom her junior year. She spends the next summer volunteering to clean-up after hurrican Katrina and plans for no boys. But fate had a different idea.
I love Racel Hawthornes books. She gets a lot of things about teenage hearts right and writes fun books.
September 23, 2009
I enjoyed this book it was a quick read but the story was completed without any loose ends. i enjoyed the sentence structure, it was basic with some variations. I enjoyed the story line romance is always going to have a small section of my heart. The little bit of the paranormal thrown in was perfect.
August 15, 2015
This was part of the two books in one paperback edition of One Perfect Summer. This was such a cute and great book. Loved it!! Want to go to New Orleans and help build a house!!!!
June 18, 2025
This book makes me wanna go to New Orleans!!!!
Almost DNFed this book because Dawn was SOOO annoying at first, especially during the first 25%. She kept talking about Drew and kept comparing him to Brady. She was rude to Brady too. She also mentioned spending too much time on Wikipedia—of all sources we have on the internet, she chose Wikipedia. Also, the girls are minors I think, while the guys are in college. The plot was really predictable and was cringey, especially the part where they were sharing pick-up lines at some diner.
BUTTTT as I kept reading, Dawn grew on me. She actually reminded me of myself when I was a teenager—annoying, and I'll give her that. Around 50%, I found myself smiling, shipping them, and enjoying the story. The ghost tour was something I didn't expect, and it actually scared me a little bit. It gave way too much information I didn't need and wanna know.
Ending was good, my heart is happy.
"𝘜𝘱 𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘶𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘳, 𝘮𝘺 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘥. 𝘐 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦-𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯."
"𝘞𝘦'𝘳𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘶𝘱."
"𝘠𝘦𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘮 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘮"
"𝘐 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘭𝘢𝘶𝘨𝘩, 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘴𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘦. 𝘓𝘪𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘸."
"𝘖𝘬𝘢𝘺."
"𝘞𝘩𝘺 𝘥𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘰 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩? 𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵 '𝘰𝘬𝘢𝘺."
"𝘚𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘐 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘭𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘥𝘥. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘴𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘐 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥."
"𝘐 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘳. 𝘋𝘰𝘶𝘣𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘞𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘧 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭. 𝘖𝘳 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘪𝘵--𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯--𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘳, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘧 𝘪𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘭𝘺 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦?"
"𝘚𝘰 𝘩𝘦'𝘥 𝘨𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘴𝘭𝘰𝘸, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘔𝘢𝘺𝘣𝘦 𝘩𝘦'𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘩𝘦'𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘵 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘺𝘣𝘦 𝘐'𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱𝘦𝘥, 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦, 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘴."
P.S It was good to find out that this book was inspired by a group girls from out of town who helped with the rebuilding efforts.
Almost DNFed this book because Dawn was SOOO annoying at first, especially during the first 25%. She kept talking about Drew and kept comparing him to Brady. She was rude to Brady too. She also mentioned spending too much time on Wikipedia—of all sources we have on the internet, she chose Wikipedia. Also, the girls are minors I think, while the guys are in college. The plot was really predictable and was cringey, especially the part where they were sharing pick-up lines at some diner.
BUTTTT as I kept reading, Dawn grew on me. She actually reminded me of myself when I was a teenager—annoying, and I'll give her that. Around 50%, I found myself smiling, shipping them, and enjoying the story. The ghost tour was something I didn't expect, and it actually scared me a little bit. It gave way too much information I didn't need and wanna know.
Ending was good, my heart is happy.
"𝘜𝘱 𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘶𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘳, 𝘮𝘺 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘥. 𝘐 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦-𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯."
"𝘞𝘦'𝘳𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘶𝘱."
"𝘠𝘦𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘮 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘮"
"𝘐 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘭𝘢𝘶𝘨𝘩, 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘴𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘦. 𝘓𝘪𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘸."
"𝘖𝘬𝘢𝘺."
"𝘞𝘩𝘺 𝘥𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘰 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩? 𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵 '𝘰𝘬𝘢𝘺."
"𝘚𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘐 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘭𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘥𝘥. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘴𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘐 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥."
"𝘐 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘳. 𝘋𝘰𝘶𝘣𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘞𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘧 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭. 𝘖𝘳 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘪𝘵--𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯--𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘳, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘧 𝘪𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘭𝘺 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦?"
"𝘚𝘰 𝘩𝘦'𝘥 𝘨𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘴𝘭𝘰𝘸, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘔𝘢𝘺𝘣𝘦 𝘩𝘦'𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘩𝘦'𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘵 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘺𝘣𝘦 𝘐'𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱𝘦𝘥, 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦, 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘴."
P.S It was good to find out that this book was inspired by a group girls from out of town who helped with the rebuilding efforts.
July 14, 2025
Labor of Love captures the array of emotions that come with first heartbreaks and highlights part of the journey it takes to mend a broken heart.
When Dawn’s ex boyfriend cheated on her on the night of her junior prom, Dawn and her two best friends, Amber and Jenna, decide to spend their summer in New Orleans volunteering to build houses post hurricane. I loved the way this book shone light on voluntourism, showing that giving back to the community, travelling and meeting new people can all be very healing.
Hawthorne describes Dawn’s internal struggle of grappling with her feelings in a way that is relatable, thereby making it easy for me to connect with Dawn’s character. Not only did I enjoy reading all of Dawn and Brady’s humorous banter, sweet inside jokes and cute moments, but I also enjoyed the friendships Dawn had with Jenna and Amber.
While I generally find Hawthorne’s novels comfortably predictable, this one came with a plot twist that I didn’t fully see coming.
I loved Dawn’s growth throughout the novel. From being afraid of a broken heart to letting herself fall in love and turn her casual summer romance with Brady into something they both continue to pursue outside of New Orleans, Dawn realizes that her broken heart had indeed been rebuilt and that she found a love better than she ever imagined.
On top of all the cuteness, I felt the New Orleans charm and uniqueness in the pages of this novel. I enjoyed learning more about New Orleans culture and transporting myself to the French Quarter, Bourbon Street, Honey Island Swamp, the Mississippi River and more!
I would recommend this book to someone who is looking for a sweet, pleasant, cute and quick summer read.
When Dawn’s ex boyfriend cheated on her on the night of her junior prom, Dawn and her two best friends, Amber and Jenna, decide to spend their summer in New Orleans volunteering to build houses post hurricane. I loved the way this book shone light on voluntourism, showing that giving back to the community, travelling and meeting new people can all be very healing.
Hawthorne describes Dawn’s internal struggle of grappling with her feelings in a way that is relatable, thereby making it easy for me to connect with Dawn’s character. Not only did I enjoy reading all of Dawn and Brady’s humorous banter, sweet inside jokes and cute moments, but I also enjoyed the friendships Dawn had with Jenna and Amber.
While I generally find Hawthorne’s novels comfortably predictable, this one came with a plot twist that I didn’t fully see coming.
I loved Dawn’s growth throughout the novel. From being afraid of a broken heart to letting herself fall in love and turn her casual summer romance with Brady into something they both continue to pursue outside of New Orleans, Dawn realizes that her broken heart had indeed been rebuilt and that she found a love better than she ever imagined.
On top of all the cuteness, I felt the New Orleans charm and uniqueness in the pages of this novel. I enjoyed learning more about New Orleans culture and transporting myself to the French Quarter, Bourbon Street, Honey Island Swamp, the Mississippi River and more!
I would recommend this book to someone who is looking for a sweet, pleasant, cute and quick summer read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2015
This review was originally posted on Ticket to Anywhere
Place(s) Traveled To: New Orleans, Louisiana
First Line(s): "I see a spectacular sunrise."
***This review contains some spoilers. Read at your own risk.***
Labor of Love by Rachel Hawthorne is a book that Andi of AndiABCs has been telling me to read for a while. So much so that she eventually gifted a copy of it to my kindle and when I needed a happy book to read I decided this was the one. Labor of Love is set in New Orleans not long after Hurricane Katrina and the city is still rebuilding. Enter in Dawn and her friends Jenna and Amber who all take time out of their summer to be part of a home building project. Dawn is a last minute addition to the trip as her initial plans included spending the summer with her boyfriend tour various water parks. That is until she catches him cheating on her and she decides to join her friends instead. One of the first things the girls do in New Orleans is to visit a psychic who tells them all things that they are unsure they want to hear but it leads them all down unexpected paths.
One of the things that the psychic tells Dawn is that she's going to meet someone soon and fall in love. As she's anti-boy and anti-dating at the start of the trip she doesn't believe it. Then she and her friends meet Brady, Tank and Sean and sparks start to fly between them all. No, not a crazy menage but they all pair off into almost too perfect to be true groupings as each guy seems to be the perfect match for each girl. Even Amber who struggles with her feelings for Sean as she has a boyfriend at home. Dawn is attracted to Brady and vice versa but the two are both reeling from hurts and so they make a pact to only be together for the summer. No strings, no long term commitments just experience the here and now with no feelings involved. Which we all know is just a recipe for disaster waiting to happen because feelings always come into play in these situations and someone always ends up getting hurt.
The hurt, and break up of the non-couple, is brought about by the actions of Amber, who I never really liked, and Dawn because sometimes you are your own worst enemy when it comes to a situation. Amber, freaking out over her feelings for Sean decides to run away from New Orleans and return to Texas where she's disappears for most of the book. Things are lighter and happier during that time without all of her angst getting in the way. But then she returns and she brings with her Drew, Dawn's ex, because she thinks they should get back together. No matter that Dawn said that would never happen no matter how sorry he ever said he would. But Amber knows best and is all confused when Dawn gets mad at her for pretty much telling Drew that she was pining for him and wanted him back. And this is about where in the book I started to heavy sigh and roll my eyes and wish that Amber never came back to New Orleans.
There is drama and angst and of course Dawn and Brady break up because their is a misunderstanding and Brady is thinking he's reliving a scenario with his last girlfriend and doesn't want to repeat it. What I did like was that Dawn owned up to her mistakes and then worked to rebuild the trust between her and Brady. She never pushed and she also communicated her feelings and more importantly apologized for her actions. There was a lot of growth on her part and it was good to see in a book. It was also good to see that Brady didn't immediately forgive and forget immediately.
Overall, Labor of Love was just an ok book for me and this may have been the time in which I read it which was really sad. The characters seemed a bit wooden at times but I did grow to like Dawn and Brady and their story. There were things I didn't like and had issues with and this one took me far longer than it should have to read but it wasn't a terrible story. While it won't ever be my favorite Rachel Hawthorne it does make me want to continue reading her backlist titles.
Add The Fill in Boyfriend by Kasie West to Goodreads. (Click here for my review.)
Add Jesse's Girl by Miranda Kenneally to Goodreads. (Review coming soon.)
This review was originally posted on Ticket to Anywhere
June 1, 2023
I’ve read this book so many times and it never gets old. This has always been my comfort book I guess you can say and I’ve always thought it was well written it spoke to me about being young and having fun.
I think this book would make a great movie it has the plot and the twists with the amazing characters to go with it.
Always love reading this book and finding that safe place I have when I read it.
I think this book would make a great movie it has the plot and the twists with the amazing characters to go with it.
Always love reading this book and finding that safe place I have when I read it.
February 16, 2017
This one is not too mushy, not too dramatic, but just the perfect combination of teenage angst and romance.
This book is about charity, community, friendship and love.
Perfect for teens who love a good romance.
This book is about charity, community, friendship and love.
Perfect for teens who love a good romance.
August 26, 2018
I liked that the teenagers in this book were doing something to better the world. However, I didn't find their characters very dimensional. There was a pretty flat plot line with no real development through the book.
January 7, 2024
Have read this multiple times before and everytime i feel inspired by volun-tourism. I loved how Rachel tied up volun-tourism and even psychic stuff. It's impressive. The ending of the book left much for toughts and imagination though i would prefer to just believe it simplistically.
September 26, 2017
This is the fourth book by this author I've read. I have three more on order. She never disappoints. She always delivers sticky sweet brain candy, quickly and efficiently.
March 28, 2019
I really enjoyed it, especially the psychic stuff.
August 30, 2019
Cute, easy, summer read!
January 3, 2020
I loved this book, it was so sweet.
March 26, 2020
Cute story but nothing spectacular.
April 26, 2020
3.75 Stars!
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