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Cedar Springs #2
The Single Dad Finds a Wife
The Doctor's New Family
Doctor Spring Darling has everything she needs. A wonderful family and a busy job helping the children of Cedar Springs, North Carolina. She's given up on adding love to that mix. Until the moment David Camden and his adorable son appear in her exam room. Spring assumes David is another down-on-his-luck single parent at the free clinic—but looks can be deceiving. Because David has a job—he's the architect proposing a new development in the middle of Spring's land! When the truth is revealed, can Spring find a way to keep both her home and the blessing of new love?
Doctor Spring Darling has everything she needs. A wonderful family and a busy job helping the children of Cedar Springs, North Carolina. She's given up on adding love to that mix. Until the moment David Camden and his adorable son appear in her exam room. Spring assumes David is another down-on-his-luck single parent at the free clinic—but looks can be deceiving. Because David has a job—he's the architect proposing a new development in the middle of Spring's land! When the truth is revealed, can Spring find a way to keep both her home and the blessing of new love?
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 21, 2015
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80 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 12, 2022
I don't like Mason's writing. I'd read "Sweet Accord" and was so ANGRY at the heresy in it that I actually took to buying all the copies I found in christian thrifts in West Michigan and burning them. So when I was boxing up my collection of 'Love, Inspireds' and saw that there was another Felicia Mason book in it? I gritted my teeth and decided to *attempt* to read it... to find out if she got any better.
She didn't.
I didn't even make it as far as the heresy, this time. A doctor named Spring Darling? *SERIOUSLY?!?!?!* She treats a boy for a stomach ailment, and the ENTIRE TIME does the whole 'miscommunicating' thing with the boy's father... only it's awkward and weird and NOT cute. Then it turns out the boy has appendicitis (which she has to explain to the father, who has a degree in architectural engineering and apparently has never heard of the condition...? WHO HASN'T HEARD OF APPENDICITIS?!!?).
Then she plays favorites, bringing the kid a 2-foot tall stuffed animal, and when the dad finds out the kid is okay, he kisses the doctor ON THE LIPS - they just met like six hours ago, hello...!! The whole thing is cringy and awkward and stupid. Grandma went off on a spa weekend unaware that she was ditching the kid on the weekend of Daddy's big construction meetings, but then races across the state to the boy's bedside five minutes later - but the Dad couldn't tell Grams that he really needed her help?!
The dialogue, the characterizations, the miscommunication spiel... NONE of this works. It's disjunct and choppy, it doesn't feel believable in any way...
And I'm *HOPING* Mason is a woman of color, because if not, she's treading a THIN line. White women aren't allowed to stereotype black best friends by having every other sentence end in 'girl'. As in, "I hear you, girl." That's... NOT okay. But with the white main character, I'm not sure... I should probably look, but at this point, I don't care. Either way, it's not good.
And the writing stank. Pg 8: "Daddy my stomach hurts." is our introduction to Jeremy (the kid). Then it immediately says, "Jeremy wasn't cranky because he was four, it was because he was sick". Um... WHEN was he ever acting out?!?! There was no crankiness in the story.
Pg 51 - "He has APPENDICITIS?!?! Was it something I did? Letting him eat too many jellybeans?" Are. You. KIDDING. Me?!?!?!?
Pg 71 - "Your eyelashes are beautiful." Then she demurs. "I'm the envy of my younger sisters, who spend hundreds of dollars every year on eyelash plumpers, lash curlers, and every new mascara that hits the market." WHAT the what?! And who spends hundreds on lash curlers? One is all a body needs, hello... BAD, *BAD* writing.
Pg 73 - "David returned to the hall... Spring Darling was still there, not that he expected her to disappear. Her head was lowered in the position he'd started calling 'Americans and their best friends' as she tapped on her phone." First, they're BOTH Americans, so... WHAT IN HADES....??? And second, who names 'positions' like that?! It's just awkward, choppy, weird, BAD writing!!
I wasn't about to invest any more time in it. I gave it a fair shot, but NO. Just no. I will avidly be avoiding Felicia Mason's books, henceforth.
She didn't.
I didn't even make it as far as the heresy, this time. A doctor named Spring Darling? *SERIOUSLY?!?!?!* She treats a boy for a stomach ailment, and the ENTIRE TIME does the whole 'miscommunicating' thing with the boy's father... only it's awkward and weird and NOT cute. Then it turns out the boy has appendicitis (which she has to explain to the father, who has a degree in architectural engineering and apparently has never heard of the condition...? WHO HASN'T HEARD OF APPENDICITIS?!!?).
Then she plays favorites, bringing the kid a 2-foot tall stuffed animal, and when the dad finds out the kid is okay, he kisses the doctor ON THE LIPS - they just met like six hours ago, hello...!! The whole thing is cringy and awkward and stupid. Grandma went off on a spa weekend unaware that she was ditching the kid on the weekend of Daddy's big construction meetings, but then races across the state to the boy's bedside five minutes later - but the Dad couldn't tell Grams that he really needed her help?!
The dialogue, the characterizations, the miscommunication spiel... NONE of this works. It's disjunct and choppy, it doesn't feel believable in any way...
And I'm *HOPING* Mason is a woman of color, because if not, she's treading a THIN line. White women aren't allowed to stereotype black best friends by having every other sentence end in 'girl'. As in, "I hear you, girl." That's... NOT okay. But with the white main character, I'm not sure... I should probably look, but at this point, I don't care. Either way, it's not good.
And the writing stank. Pg 8: "Daddy my stomach hurts." is our introduction to Jeremy (the kid). Then it immediately says, "Jeremy wasn't cranky because he was four, it was because he was sick". Um... WHEN was he ever acting out?!?! There was no crankiness in the story.
Pg 51 - "He has APPENDICITIS?!?! Was it something I did? Letting him eat too many jellybeans?" Are. You. KIDDING. Me?!?!?!?
Pg 71 - "Your eyelashes are beautiful." Then she demurs. "I'm the envy of my younger sisters, who spend hundreds of dollars every year on eyelash plumpers, lash curlers, and every new mascara that hits the market." WHAT the what?! And who spends hundreds on lash curlers? One is all a body needs, hello... BAD, *BAD* writing.
Pg 73 - "David returned to the hall... Spring Darling was still there, not that he expected her to disappear. Her head was lowered in the position he'd started calling 'Americans and their best friends' as she tapped on her phone." First, they're BOTH Americans, so... WHAT IN HADES....??? And second, who names 'positions' like that?! It's just awkward, choppy, weird, BAD writing!!
I wasn't about to invest any more time in it. I gave it a fair shot, but NO. Just no. I will avidly be avoiding Felicia Mason's books, henceforth.
June 4, 2017
Enjoyable a little too much going on, an unsuspenceful mystery, an unable to listen female lead, it was a 2 hour read, 50 cents at the church sale...
July 25, 2022
On would have have it more than 2 stars if it would have explained sweet Willie’s secret.
May 18, 2024
Loved this romantic book
April 13, 2015
This was an okay book, however, it had a bunch of flaws that really ruined it for me. Part of it was the timeline.
The whole book happened in the span of just a few weeks. And the featured couple went from complete strangers to engaged.
The little boy had his appendix removed and his doctor was totally okay with him running, jumping and laughing two or three days later. While I've never went through that procedure myself, I've had friends who have had their appendix out and it took several weeks to recover. And laughing was one of the most painful things for them for several days. I know medicine has come along way, but I still can't imagine running and jumping being okay right after surgery.
The author also had words and phrases she completely over used. Like intoned. And there was one short scene from a POV that you don't get anywhere else in the story. It's also the one POV that doesn't make any sense and the author leaves as a loose end. I'm not sure if she was trying to set the stage for her next book or what, but it really just didn't fit in my opinion.
So overall, if you are just looking for a book to fill your time, this one is okay, I didn't hate it, I just wouldn't put it on my favorites or read again list.
Disclaimer, I was provided with a free review copy of this book from Propeller Consulting LLC.
The whole book happened in the span of just a few weeks. And the featured couple went from complete strangers to engaged.
The little boy had his appendix removed and his doctor was totally okay with him running, jumping and laughing two or three days later. While I've never went through that procedure myself, I've had friends who have had their appendix out and it took several weeks to recover. And laughing was one of the most painful things for them for several days. I know medicine has come along way, but I still can't imagine running and jumping being okay right after surgery.
The author also had words and phrases she completely over used. Like intoned. And there was one short scene from a POV that you don't get anywhere else in the story. It's also the one POV that doesn't make any sense and the author leaves as a loose end. I'm not sure if she was trying to set the stage for her next book or what, but it really just didn't fit in my opinion.
So overall, if you are just looking for a book to fill your time, this one is okay, I didn't hate it, I just wouldn't put it on my favorites or read again list.
Disclaimer, I was provided with a free review copy of this book from Propeller Consulting LLC.
February 15, 2016
I really wanted to like this book, but I just couldn't. It was SLOW paced. Although I liked David Camden, I just couldn't come to care for Dr. Spring Darling. This is an inspirational romance and part of the Cedar Springs books.
One problem is there are a multitude of characters. There were 25 characters introduced in the first 5 chapters (not counting several others mentioned but not used in the scenes). Some things just seemed out of place. For example, there are series of burglaries in the book, which are not resolved completely. I fully get the idea that the burglaries will reappear in other books in the series. I suspect "Sweet Willy" is an undercover officer and not a homeless man. However, I found the burglaries distracting to the plot.
I also felt as if the author looked for "Christian" opportunities to add to the story. I customarily read inspirationals, but I don't need for the characters to pray constantly to provide the Christian values.
One problem is there are a multitude of characters. There were 25 characters introduced in the first 5 chapters (not counting several others mentioned but not used in the scenes). Some things just seemed out of place. For example, there are series of burglaries in the book, which are not resolved completely. I fully get the idea that the burglaries will reappear in other books in the series. I suspect "Sweet Willy" is an undercover officer and not a homeless man. However, I found the burglaries distracting to the plot.
I also felt as if the author looked for "Christian" opportunities to add to the story. I customarily read inspirationals, but I don't need for the characters to pray constantly to provide the Christian values.
January 23, 2016
This book started out really good with Dr. Spring Darling mistaking the single father in her clinic being homeless. He tried arguing with her, but she was convinced he was being proud. Then she was shocked to discover that he was the architect in town to design the new development that the town - or her family - did not want.
But somewhere after the half-way point, it changed. I could see both sides of the issue, and thought that Spring was a bit hard on David who was simply doing his job. The ending was rather disappointing. There were several loose ends not tied up. If this is a continuation series, the author should state that somehow so I know there is more coming, but I just felt like I was missing the rest of the story...
But somewhere after the half-way point, it changed. I could see both sides of the issue, and thought that Spring was a bit hard on David who was simply doing his job. The ending was rather disappointing. There were several loose ends not tied up. If this is a continuation series, the author should state that somehow so I know there is more coming, but I just felt like I was missing the rest of the story...
May 24, 2015
The Single Dad Finds A Wife by Felicia Mason was a very good book. Doctor Spring Darling works at a clinic that treats people who can't afford the bills. She also works at the hospital. David Camden is staying in town with his son, Jeremy. Jeremy gets real sick one night and the clinic is the closest place to take him. Spring figures David can't pay the bill, when he says he forgot his wallet with his insurance card at the hotel. Spring ends up falling for David and Jeremy. Spring finds out David does have money and there on business. A very good read.
May 9, 2016
Cedar Springs series. A single dad, David, with a very sick 4 year old son meets a lovely Doctor, Spring. Conflict, love, Christian theme, mystery. This is a read in a day type book that has a happy ending and several laughs too. 4 sisters......Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter Darling!!! Glad my parents didn't name us that!
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January 12, 2016Miniseries: Cedar Springs
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January 12, 2016Miniseries: Cedar Springs
November 11, 2015
Very enjoyable read.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews