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Life Unexpected
Corey Bennett left her family and the breathtakingly beautiful gulf coast of Florida for law school and never returned. She wanted more out of life than was available in her small hometown. By marrying a prominent Atlanta prosecutor, and working hard to become the first woman law partner at a prestigious Atlanta law firm, Corey was well on her way to living the life she wanted. But at 32, she lost her husband, was expectedly pregnant, and found it difficult to reconcile the demands of her career and single parenthood. Life Unexpected is about love lost, love found, and discovering that the path to happiness isn't straight or predictable.
358 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 25, 2015
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453 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
March 15, 2017
Life Unexpected is a novel by J.A. Stone. It takes place in northwestern Florida at the beach house and in Atlanta at Corey’s condo.
Corey Bennett worked at Landon, Crane, and Forrester in Atlanta. She had been working for them when her husband, Luke, had gotten sick with cancer and she had to take off to nurse him. After his death, she had nothing else to do and it felt right to come back to work. She waited in Larry Forrester’s waiting room for him to complete whatever business he was conducting. He had called her in for a meeting. She had been working with a client when he called and she was just about ready to leave when he came in. Larry wanted to talk to her about how she was doing. One of her clients had mentioned to another partner that she seemed haggard. The partners had decided she needed some time off. She was to take two weeks off and go somewhere and relax and put some weight back on. Instead of staying in her condo and worrying all week, she decided to join her sister at their beach house in Mexico Beach.
While at the beach, the wind came up as a storm started to come in. Her umbrella got away and flew down the beach. As she tried to get it, she met Tripp MacKinnon on the beach. They quickly left the beach and stopped at his house which was on the way to hers. Since it was raining badly, she accepted his invitation to come in and talk. As they talked over old times, he invited her to dinner which she accepted. After dinner, they returned to Tripp’s house and they ended up in bed together. Afterwards, as they talked, the phone rang and Tripp’s girlfriend, Lucy called. Corey felt very confused. She hadn’t known about Lucy and felt used and this was the first time she had been with anyone since Luke died. She left Mexico Beach and returned to Atlanta to forget about Tripp. However, she couldn’t as she found herself pregnant with his child. Should she tell him? Just as she decided to, she learned he was engaged to Lucy. How could she tell him now? Knowing she was going to keep the baby, she had to figure out a story. What could she say?
Corey is faced with some difficult decisions as she intends to be a single mother with a very demanding job. Can she do it?
Corey Bennett worked at Landon, Crane, and Forrester in Atlanta. She had been working for them when her husband, Luke, had gotten sick with cancer and she had to take off to nurse him. After his death, she had nothing else to do and it felt right to come back to work. She waited in Larry Forrester’s waiting room for him to complete whatever business he was conducting. He had called her in for a meeting. She had been working with a client when he called and she was just about ready to leave when he came in. Larry wanted to talk to her about how she was doing. One of her clients had mentioned to another partner that she seemed haggard. The partners had decided she needed some time off. She was to take two weeks off and go somewhere and relax and put some weight back on. Instead of staying in her condo and worrying all week, she decided to join her sister at their beach house in Mexico Beach.
While at the beach, the wind came up as a storm started to come in. Her umbrella got away and flew down the beach. As she tried to get it, she met Tripp MacKinnon on the beach. They quickly left the beach and stopped at his house which was on the way to hers. Since it was raining badly, she accepted his invitation to come in and talk. As they talked over old times, he invited her to dinner which she accepted. After dinner, they returned to Tripp’s house and they ended up in bed together. Afterwards, as they talked, the phone rang and Tripp’s girlfriend, Lucy called. Corey felt very confused. She hadn’t known about Lucy and felt used and this was the first time she had been with anyone since Luke died. She left Mexico Beach and returned to Atlanta to forget about Tripp. However, she couldn’t as she found herself pregnant with his child. Should she tell him? Just as she decided to, she learned he was engaged to Lucy. How could she tell him now? Knowing she was going to keep the baby, she had to figure out a story. What could she say?
Corey is faced with some difficult decisions as she intends to be a single mother with a very demanding job. Can she do it?
October 20, 2016
LIFE UNEXPECTED by J.A. Stone is a quickly paced read about Corey, who recently lost her husband. After being told by her law office to take a forced vacation, Corey finds herself back at the beach house where she grew up and back in the arms of her childhood friend. This is a story of moving on, finding who you are and not who others want you to be, establishing work/life balance, and the healing that comes from motherhood. I wasn't 100% happy with all the plot points and while I didn't like or agree with the big decision that Corey made, I was happy with the journey the book took to the conclusion. The supporting characters are diverse and developed. If I hadn't just read a book about work/life balance from the father's POV just before this one, I may have responded to it differently. I'd give this one 3.5 stars.
I received an ARC of this novel from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC of this novel from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 26, 2017
Am enjoyable novel of self discovery
J.A Stone has written a wonderful, engaging, and interesting debut novel. She has written an array of relatable characters who often interact with others, demonstrating their multifaceted characteristics. She has several major and minor plotlines written throughout the novel. She does so seamlessly so that the reader may be unaware that this is occurring.
The novel is one which will hold the readers interest and be difficult to put down. The reader will want to read straight through, more so from being invested in the story and the characters and wanting to know where things will go next.
I will definitely be looking forward to the release of other books by this author.
J.A Stone has written a wonderful, engaging, and interesting debut novel. She has written an array of relatable characters who often interact with others, demonstrating their multifaceted characteristics. She has several major and minor plotlines written throughout the novel. She does so seamlessly so that the reader may be unaware that this is occurring.
The novel is one which will hold the readers interest and be difficult to put down. The reader will want to read straight through, more so from being invested in the story and the characters and wanting to know where things will go next.
I will definitely be looking forward to the release of other books by this author.
October 25, 2016
Life Unexpected was pleasantly predictable in someways however the path the characters took to get there where unexpected. The events JA Stone included are struggles that happen to real people all the time. The choices Corey makes in her life are in response to the events that shaped her thinking. Tripp tries to do the right thing, but the right thing for who? I believe that what you think happens after the story ends will be different depending on your life experiences. I choose the happily ever after. JA Stone brings the heartache and joy of the characters to life through their development and her ability to weave depth and feeling into the written word.
April 10, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed getting caught up in the pages of this book. I loved the days spent on the Florida beach with recently widowed Corey, and watching her discover and rekindle old feelings for a childhood crush.
The story that plays out in the days to come was sad and sweet, full of a little angst but ultimately so lovely. And just my kind of delicious romance. I enjoyed every moment of it.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a tender, sometimes difficult love story and a heroine who finds the strength to move on after tragedy in a beautiful way. I loved this one.
The story that plays out in the days to come was sad and sweet, full of a little angst but ultimately so lovely. And just my kind of delicious romance. I enjoyed every moment of it.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a tender, sometimes difficult love story and a heroine who finds the strength to move on after tragedy in a beautiful way. I loved this one.
July 7, 2019
I picked this book as a light summer read but it turned out to be a very nice surprise. While entertaining and quite enjoyable, it provides also some great life lessons and/or reminders about it. The main message the author tries to convey is: life is too short and unpredictable. Things happen and some very unexpectedly. Many things are beyond our control. What we can do, however, is to “focus on living in the now. Focus on what’s important.”
This message resonated with me. The reflections of Corey, the main character in the story, made me look back at my own life. Of course, she is right! I certainly never planned for my life to turn out the way it has. Corey’s self-discovery, her courage, her maturity and eagerness and determination to start over, to take control of her life, is very refreshing and very welcome by me as a reader. At some point in the book she says, My goal now is to focus more on living. Besides, none of the plans I ever made prepared me for where I am today.” I thought I felt the same way. “What a great reminder!”— I thought. None of the things I planned for my own life turned the way I expected either! And that’s what I take from this book.
It’s books like this that feel so real, that you can relate to, that transmit important messages and life lessons, without sounding preachy, that I like to read the most. I believe this is why I liked this book very much. One of Corey’s quotes stayed with me: WHILE WE MAKE OTHER PLANS, LIFE HAPPENS!
If it wasn’t for some poorly developed secondary characters and storylines, this book would deserve five stars. But definitely recommended to read.
This message resonated with me. The reflections of Corey, the main character in the story, made me look back at my own life. Of course, she is right! I certainly never planned for my life to turn out the way it has. Corey’s self-discovery, her courage, her maturity and eagerness and determination to start over, to take control of her life, is very refreshing and very welcome by me as a reader. At some point in the book she says, My goal now is to focus more on living. Besides, none of the plans I ever made prepared me for where I am today.” I thought I felt the same way. “What a great reminder!”— I thought. None of the things I planned for my own life turned the way I expected either! And that’s what I take from this book.
It’s books like this that feel so real, that you can relate to, that transmit important messages and life lessons, without sounding preachy, that I like to read the most. I believe this is why I liked this book very much. One of Corey’s quotes stayed with me: WHILE WE MAKE OTHER PLANS, LIFE HAPPENS!
If it wasn’t for some poorly developed secondary characters and storylines, this book would deserve five stars. But definitely recommended to read.
June 15, 2022
I won a Kindle copy of Life Unexpected from a Goodreads Giveaway.
This was my first book by Ms. Stone and it will be my last.
This book was corny and predictable.
As one reader noted, this is really an overview in one year of a woman’s life chronicling the period of her soon after losing her husband to cancer, becoming suddenly pregnant after a one night stand, adjustment as a single mother, finding her path in life and reconciling with the father of her baby.
Trust me, it reads a lot duller than you think.
I didn’t like Corey Bennett. I didn’t like her friends or co-workers.
Also, a small part of me couldn’t believe that an educated attorney would have a one night stand without using a condom but hey, we all make mistakes and she is grieving and not thinking clearly.
I’m not going to cast any stones here.
The story was incredibly boring as if the author followed the checklist below:
1. Protagonist does something silly with a guy she used to know and has a reputation for not being all that faithful
2. A cliché event happens like an unwanted pregnancy and/or miscarriage
3. There is a miscarriage
4. There is another woman involved
5. Protagonist realizes she has feelings for father of baby
6. Protagonist realizes she needs to change her life and ends up quitting her high paying, stressful job and moving close to home
7. Protagonist is happier, healthier and father of baby is free and clear of his previous commitments and wants a second chance
Kind of happily ever after.
This was my first book by Ms. Stone and it will be my last.
This book was corny and predictable.
As one reader noted, this is really an overview in one year of a woman’s life chronicling the period of her soon after losing her husband to cancer, becoming suddenly pregnant after a one night stand, adjustment as a single mother, finding her path in life and reconciling with the father of her baby.
Trust me, it reads a lot duller than you think.
I didn’t like Corey Bennett. I didn’t like her friends or co-workers.
Also, a small part of me couldn’t believe that an educated attorney would have a one night stand without using a condom but hey, we all make mistakes and she is grieving and not thinking clearly.
I’m not going to cast any stones here.
The story was incredibly boring as if the author followed the checklist below:
1. Protagonist does something silly with a guy she used to know and has a reputation for not being all that faithful
2. A cliché event happens like an unwanted pregnancy and/or miscarriage
3. There is a miscarriage
4. There is another woman involved
5. Protagonist realizes she has feelings for father of baby
6. Protagonist realizes she needs to change her life and ends up quitting her high paying, stressful job and moving close to home
7. Protagonist is happier, healthier and father of baby is free and clear of his previous commitments and wants a second chance
Kind of happily ever after.
October 30, 2016
Won a free kindle version in goodreads giveaway.
This is a feel good book. It is pretty predictable but everything is tied up nice in the end. I kinda need that type of read right now, probably why I liked more than I usually would. It is oversimplified. Everything works out just right, even by way of otherwise sad events, they tend to push the two main characters towards "fate".
If you're wanting complex, deep characters this isn't it. If you want a fairly comforting read with no cliff hanger go for it. I read and listened to this book on kindle. The narrator's adds a little something to the story. This was my first tantrum read and listen but I liked it.
Happy Reading :)
This is a feel good book. It is pretty predictable but everything is tied up nice in the end. I kinda need that type of read right now, probably why I liked more than I usually would. It is oversimplified. Everything works out just right, even by way of otherwise sad events, they tend to push the two main characters towards "fate".
If you're wanting complex, deep characters this isn't it. If you want a fairly comforting read with no cliff hanger go for it. I read and listened to this book on kindle. The narrator's adds a little something to the story. This was my first tantrum read and listen but I liked it.
Happy Reading :)
January 19, 2017
I received a copy of this book thru NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. This was a pleasant book to read. A lot was kind of predictable in the way of what the characters did and how their lives played out. Although times while reading it I wished they had done things different, I was overall happy with the ending. Thank you to the author, NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for giving me this opportunity.
This review and others can also be found on my blog which I am very new to. https://mcdawnreviews.wordpress.com/2...
This review and others can also be found on my blog which I am very new to. https://mcdawnreviews.wordpress.com/2...
February 8, 2017
Delightful read
Life Unexpected was an excellent book. Found it hard to put down once I started reading it. Loved the characters, storyline and the way that J. A. Stone really knows how to tell a story.
Life Unexpected was an excellent book. Found it hard to put down once I started reading it. Loved the characters, storyline and the way that J. A. Stone really knows how to tell a story.
February 22, 2017
Quick ,nice read
It was a quick re lad. .Story moved along well. Overall I enjoyed this novel. Wished the author added a few more pages and expanded on the relationship of the main characters
It was a quick re lad. .Story moved along well. Overall I enjoyed this novel. Wished the author added a few more pages and expanded on the relationship of the main characters
October 18, 2016
Life with Hospital Corners
Corey Bennett has just suffered tremendous loss with the death of her cancer stricken husband after losing both parents just a short time before. She works for a successful Atlanta law firm and after taking care of her ill husband, throws herself back into work instead of facing the myriad of unanswered questions regarding her life and where she is headed. A forced vacation sends her to the beloved beach house of her youth where she sexually reconvenes with a childhood friend.
This brief encounter finds Corey not only widowed but pregnant as well. She finds herself in the position of having to make a difficult decision, one that will seriously impact those closest to her. The decision is not a sound one and Corey’s character and intelligence are called into question. This makes her rather unlikable and not easy to root for.
Corey never has to wait long for any problem to work itself out. Even in the face of great tragedy her life seems neatly gift wrapped when one solution after another parades itself before her. This is not how life works and though this is fiction, the story comes off as trite. It seems almost disrespectful to what real people face in the wake of the same challenges.
I would have hoped that an author with this much life experience could have written a more realistic, more meaningful story. There is some leeway given for this being a debut novel but still chalk this one up to a beach read only.
BRB Rating: Skip It
Corey Bennett has just suffered tremendous loss with the death of her cancer stricken husband after losing both parents just a short time before. She works for a successful Atlanta law firm and after taking care of her ill husband, throws herself back into work instead of facing the myriad of unanswered questions regarding her life and where she is headed. A forced vacation sends her to the beloved beach house of her youth where she sexually reconvenes with a childhood friend.
This brief encounter finds Corey not only widowed but pregnant as well. She finds herself in the position of having to make a difficult decision, one that will seriously impact those closest to her. The decision is not a sound one and Corey’s character and intelligence are called into question. This makes her rather unlikable and not easy to root for.
Corey never has to wait long for any problem to work itself out. Even in the face of great tragedy her life seems neatly gift wrapped when one solution after another parades itself before her. This is not how life works and though this is fiction, the story comes off as trite. It seems almost disrespectful to what real people face in the wake of the same challenges.
I would have hoped that an author with this much life experience could have written a more realistic, more meaningful story. There is some leeway given for this being a debut novel but still chalk this one up to a beach read only.
BRB Rating: Skip It
March 11, 2019
Unexpected
I read this book in a few hours. Uncomplecated,but at the same time,a sort of growth.To see what Corey did with her life,good and bad,making it an uncomplicated,but a constant mess. Organized chaos.
I was hoping to find a concluding story,a book 2. But so far nothing. I think this could really have a concluding interesting story involved. Frankly,I feel Corey could have used her employer for discrimination. Whether she stayed or not, a woman was handling 2 jobs,while a man needed a woman to handle his job,but another story. It took a long time to find Tripp,I would have liked to see the progression.
I read this book in a few hours. Uncomplecated,but at the same time,a sort of growth.To see what Corey did with her life,good and bad,making it an uncomplicated,but a constant mess. Organized chaos.
I was hoping to find a concluding story,a book 2. But so far nothing. I think this could really have a concluding interesting story involved. Frankly,I feel Corey could have used her employer for discrimination. Whether she stayed or not, a woman was handling 2 jobs,while a man needed a woman to handle his job,but another story. It took a long time to find Tripp,I would have liked to see the progression.
December 1, 2018
Life is unexpected for all of us and the things we plan, son't always work out for us and it sometimes take a very big event to help up really see what is happening in our individual lives. In this story, the deal of a husband, an unplanned pregnancy, death of a mother-in-law and being let go from a job, that she thought she loved, all made our heroine make some pretty dramatic changes in her life and to find that she is much happier and more content than she ever thought she cold be.A very enjoyable read. Congratulations to the author on her first book.
July 18, 2017
I hope there is a sequel
I Really enjoyed this book. Ms. Stone is an excellent writer. The characters are well developed and, for the most part, likeable.
I think the story ended too soon, and I'd love to see a sequel that explores the relationships Corey had with the people in her life -especially Diane and Tripp.
I Really enjoyed this book. Ms. Stone is an excellent writer. The characters are well developed and, for the most part, likeable.
I think the story ended too soon, and I'd love to see a sequel that explores the relationships Corey had with the people in her life -especially Diane and Tripp.
November 18, 2016
I won this book from Goodreads Giveaways. Thank you. This was a quick read. Unfortunately, I found the characters to be shallow and the storyline predictable and unoriginal.
August 12, 2017
I enjoyed this book. It was good, and thankfully not too predictable. For me, it was not a captivating read. Perhaps it was the main character, perhaps it was all the losses she sustained, and maybe it was because it felt like too much real life, I was not absolutely riveted to the text. In fact, I read it a little at a time in the evenings over the course of a couple of weeks.
The main character made a lot of choices that I did not like, but she was also hurting and wounded and trying to make the best of a lot of bad situations. I identified most with her older sister.
Thanks to NetGalley for a review copy of this book.
The main character made a lot of choices that I did not like, but she was also hurting and wounded and trying to make the best of a lot of bad situations. I identified most with her older sister.
Thanks to NetGalley for a review copy of this book.
February 22, 2018
Corey Bennett has lost her parents in a tragic car accident and then her husband to cancer. Her boss at the prestigous Atlanta law firm where Corey has focused all her attention on her career since graduating law school, insists that she take a vacation. While spending two weeks on the Florida Gulf Coast, she reconnects with Tripp, a childhood friend. Now Corey is questioning her past choices and must decide if she is brave enough to say yes to love again.
February 15, 2017
What you want in life is not always what you need
As a 66 year old widow who was married for 50 plus years, I understand how different life can become in just an instant, yet that instant can open up a whole new world if you just reach out and grab it.
As a 66 year old widow who was married for 50 plus years, I understand how different life can become in just an instant, yet that instant can open up a whole new world if you just reach out and grab it.
February 25, 2017
Wonderful love and life story
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this well written story. I didn't agree with Corey's big lie, but I felt for her as she struggled to make a life for herself and her daughter.
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this well written story. I didn't agree with Corey's big lie, but I felt for her as she struggled to make a life for herself and her daughter.
July 20, 2017
A series of events
Life does not follow a given set of rules. It throws eventful curves when one's least prepared to deal with it. The story line was interesting but predictible. I enjoyed it as a light, easy read with an anticipated outcome.
Life does not follow a given set of rules. It throws eventful curves when one's least prepared to deal with it. The story line was interesting but predictible. I enjoyed it as a light, easy read with an anticipated outcome.
February 25, 2019
Yes!
Life cannot always be scripted, and some of us need to learn to understand that truth.
Sometimes folks make careful plans which always seem to get upset, but they keep stubbornly doing the same thing. At some point, I think we should all give ourselves over to life
Life cannot always be scripted, and some of us need to learn to understand that truth.
Sometimes folks make careful plans which always seem to get upset, but they keep stubbornly doing the same thing. At some point, I think we should all give ourselves over to life
March 30, 2021
Received from a Goodreads giveaway
Truly enjoyed this book. The characters were well developed and likable. The story had depth. I must say at times I felt like Corey was a version of myself, always living the life someone else wanted for her. I enjoyed the I book a lot.
Truly enjoyed this book. The characters were well developed and likable. The story had depth. I must say at times I felt like Corey was a version of myself, always living the life someone else wanted for her. I enjoyed the I book a lot.
March 8, 2023
I really enjoyed "Life Unexpected" by J.A. Stone. A young widow, having a baby, resolving her old and new relationships. Well depicted struggles in priorities, motherhood, and love. Thank you NetGalley, the author and publisher for the review copy. All opinions are my own.
February 4, 2017
Heart warming
Just goes to show us that life takes many turns,very good sorry very well written,loved the ending,always be thankful for today and what you have
Just goes to show us that life takes many turns,very good sorry very well written,loved the ending,always be thankful for today and what you have
March 25, 2017
Life Unexpected
This book was a great read I enjoyed the slower pace it made heart of the story to think about life.. I felt bad about all of Corey's struggles but it seemed to help in the long run. Great book.
This book was a great read I enjoyed the slower pace it made heart of the story to think about life.. I felt bad about all of Corey's struggles but it seemed to help in the long run. Great book.
October 14, 2017
Forever Love
I really enjoyed this book. It turned a situation from crazy to a very stable lifestyle. Hope to read more!
I really enjoyed this book. It turned a situation from crazy to a very stable lifestyle. Hope to read more!
October 6, 2018
Great read
Great read. Easy to follow with just enough suspense. Corey is an inspiration putting her family first!! Glad to have a happy ending.
Great read. Easy to follow with just enough suspense. Corey is an inspiration putting her family first!! Glad to have a happy ending.
October 23, 2018
Truly great story
Loved the characters such a great story I had trouble putting it down read it in one sitting and I wanted more !
Loved the characters such a great story I had trouble putting it down read it in one sitting and I wanted more !
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews