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Whispering Bay Romance #1
That Thing You Do
Welcome to the world of Whispering Bay romance, where hot heroes and smart heroines collide to find their happily-ever-afters!
Allie Grant doesn’t believe in second chances. She does, however, believe in the power of a permanent paycheck. So when a tipster reports that the soon-to-be demolished senior center in her hometown is haunted, Allie hightails it to Whispering Bay to get the scoop that could secure her dream job at Florida! magazine. What she finds, though, is far scarier than any ghost. Cue her ex-boyfriend, sexy construction foreman Tom Donalan.
When Tom catches Allie poking around his construction site, he quickly realizes his former high school flame is just as feisty as ever. And, heaven help him, her irresistible, mile-high legs still take his breath away. But Tom isn’t about to delay the building’s demolition because of a silly ghost story.
With neither of the stubborn exes backing down from their opposing positions, sparks fly. And, underneath the surface, the fire of their old attraction burns as hot as ever. When strange things start happening with increasing frequency around town, even a tough skeptic like Tom is tested. The question is, can Allie and Tom stop fighting long enough to get to the bottom of Whispering Bay’s ghost problem—and the more important matter of mending their broken hearts?
Allie Grant doesn’t believe in second chances. She does, however, believe in the power of a permanent paycheck. So when a tipster reports that the soon-to-be demolished senior center in her hometown is haunted, Allie hightails it to Whispering Bay to get the scoop that could secure her dream job at Florida! magazine. What she finds, though, is far scarier than any ghost. Cue her ex-boyfriend, sexy construction foreman Tom Donalan.
When Tom catches Allie poking around his construction site, he quickly realizes his former high school flame is just as feisty as ever. And, heaven help him, her irresistible, mile-high legs still take his breath away. But Tom isn’t about to delay the building’s demolition because of a silly ghost story.
With neither of the stubborn exes backing down from their opposing positions, sparks fly. And, underneath the surface, the fire of their old attraction burns as hot as ever. When strange things start happening with increasing frequency around town, even a tough skeptic like Tom is tested. The question is, can Allie and Tom stop fighting long enough to get to the bottom of Whispering Bay’s ghost problem—and the more important matter of mending their broken hearts?
338 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 28, 2015
978 people are currently reading
2004 people want to read
About the author
Maria Geraci
33 books469 followersMaria Geraci writes feel-good small-town contemporary romance. She’s a two-time RITA® Finalist and a finalist in the National Readers’ Choice Awards and Romantic Times’ American Title Contest. Her stories feature strong women, dreamy heroes, lots of laughs, and a little bit of heat. Born in Cuba, she was raised on Florida’s Space Coast. She and her husband of thirty-plus years (along with their four dogs) are thrilled to call central Florida home again. She loves hearing from readers. You can write to her at maria@mariageraci.com
Maria also writes cozy mysteries as her alter ego Maggie March.
Maria also writes cozy mysteries as her alter ego Maggie March.
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May 3, 2015
RATING 4.5 STARS
That Thing You Do is book one in the Whispering Bay Romance series by Maria Geraci. This is my first book by Ms. Geraci and I fell in love with it. The characters were so easy to love. They were both tough and sweet and vulnerable, but at the same time, Allie was quirky and fun, as were the residents of Whispering Bay. Add in the prospect of a ghost and you’ve got chaos.
Twelve years and two months ago, Allie and Tom were seniors in high school, about to graduate and go to college. Allie had been crushing big time on Tom all year but he was dating the oh so perfect Lauren. Right before prom, Lauren breaks up with Tom so he asked Allie to go with him. This started a whirlwind summer romance and Allie was in love. But then came the Night of the Great Humiliation. And Allie’s heart was broken.
Flash forward twelve years, Allie is thirty years old, freelance writing and waitressing to get by. It is time for her to reach her Life Goal Number Three-a permanent job with benefits. Florida Magazine has received an anonymous email saying that there is a ghost residing in the old senior center in Allie’s home town of Whispering Bay. The senior center is about to be demolished so if Allie can get the story before they tear it down, she will be in the running for a full time dream position at the magazine. This will be perfect because at the same time, Allie can spend some much needed time with her brother and sister-in-law, Zeke and Mimi, and her niece and nephew. The problem is that Allie has heard that Tom has moved back to Whispering Bay.
Tom Donalan moved back to his home town of Whispering Bay to be near his son after the divorce. He is in charge of the demolition of the senior center but has been having problems with teenagers breaking in to the building. No one was more surprised than he was when he thought he was busting a teen who broke in to the building through the window but instead found his ex, Allie, in the building.
Allie convinces, or guilts, Tom into postponing the project for twenty four hours so she can spend the night in the building to see if there really is a ghost. Of course, Tom insists on being there with her.
“Of course she didn’t hate him. But she didn’t want to like him. And she certainly didn’t want to want him. Not again. But she did. On both counts.”
What happens when you add together two people with a lot of unresolved chemistry, a prospective ghost that smells just like Jean Nate which was the favorite perfume of Allie and Zeke’s beloved deceased Grandmother, a senior citizens group calling themselves the Gray Flamingoes, some very crazy members of the Sunshine Ghost Society, and Allie’s sister-in-law’s group of friends calling themselves the Bunco Babes…COMPLETE CHAOS is what you get! Could the old record player Lauren found have anything to do with this? The songs from the oldie goldie records she has been playing keep haunting Allie and Tom, compelling them.
“Was it possible there was really a ghost on top of the building and Allie just couldn’t see it? Or was the power of suggestion causing some kind of mass hysteria?”
Tom and Allie definitely have a lot of unresolved issues between them. The more time they spend together, the more they both realize that what they had together twelve years ago is still there. But Tom’s life is here with his son and Allie’s is in Tampa.
“I saw the way he looked at you.”
“Oh yeah? Like what?”
“Like you were breakfast and he hadn’t eaten in days.”
This book was so much fun. Allie’s presence back in Whispering Bay wreaks havoc but what happens when it’s time to go home? Will Allie get her story? Will Tom be able to let her go again? And what about that ghost?
“Somehow, in the short span of just four days he’d become her best friend all over again. A best friend she wanted to have sex with, that is.”
I actually live in Florida, only about forty miles from the University of Florida where Tom went to college in this book. I loved reading about places that were familiar to me. This was a fantastic start to this series and I so look forward to continuing on with book two, Then He Kissed Me, which will be Lauren and Nate’s story.
That Thing You Do is book one in the Whispering Bay Romance series by Maria Geraci. This is my first book by Ms. Geraci and I fell in love with it. The characters were so easy to love. They were both tough and sweet and vulnerable, but at the same time, Allie was quirky and fun, as were the residents of Whispering Bay. Add in the prospect of a ghost and you’ve got chaos.
Twelve years and two months ago, Allie and Tom were seniors in high school, about to graduate and go to college. Allie had been crushing big time on Tom all year but he was dating the oh so perfect Lauren. Right before prom, Lauren breaks up with Tom so he asked Allie to go with him. This started a whirlwind summer romance and Allie was in love. But then came the Night of the Great Humiliation. And Allie’s heart was broken.
Flash forward twelve years, Allie is thirty years old, freelance writing and waitressing to get by. It is time for her to reach her Life Goal Number Three-a permanent job with benefits. Florida Magazine has received an anonymous email saying that there is a ghost residing in the old senior center in Allie’s home town of Whispering Bay. The senior center is about to be demolished so if Allie can get the story before they tear it down, she will be in the running for a full time dream position at the magazine. This will be perfect because at the same time, Allie can spend some much needed time with her brother and sister-in-law, Zeke and Mimi, and her niece and nephew. The problem is that Allie has heard that Tom has moved back to Whispering Bay.
Tom Donalan moved back to his home town of Whispering Bay to be near his son after the divorce. He is in charge of the demolition of the senior center but has been having problems with teenagers breaking in to the building. No one was more surprised than he was when he thought he was busting a teen who broke in to the building through the window but instead found his ex, Allie, in the building.
Allie convinces, or guilts, Tom into postponing the project for twenty four hours so she can spend the night in the building to see if there really is a ghost. Of course, Tom insists on being there with her.
“Of course she didn’t hate him. But she didn’t want to like him. And she certainly didn’t want to want him. Not again. But she did. On both counts.”
What happens when you add together two people with a lot of unresolved chemistry, a prospective ghost that smells just like Jean Nate which was the favorite perfume of Allie and Zeke’s beloved deceased Grandmother, a senior citizens group calling themselves the Gray Flamingoes, some very crazy members of the Sunshine Ghost Society, and Allie’s sister-in-law’s group of friends calling themselves the Bunco Babes…COMPLETE CHAOS is what you get! Could the old record player Lauren found have anything to do with this? The songs from the oldie goldie records she has been playing keep haunting Allie and Tom, compelling them.
“Was it possible there was really a ghost on top of the building and Allie just couldn’t see it? Or was the power of suggestion causing some kind of mass hysteria?”
Tom and Allie definitely have a lot of unresolved issues between them. The more time they spend together, the more they both realize that what they had together twelve years ago is still there. But Tom’s life is here with his son and Allie’s is in Tampa.
“I saw the way he looked at you.”
“Oh yeah? Like what?”
“Like you were breakfast and he hadn’t eaten in days.”
This book was so much fun. Allie’s presence back in Whispering Bay wreaks havoc but what happens when it’s time to go home? Will Allie get her story? Will Tom be able to let her go again? And what about that ghost?
“Somehow, in the short span of just four days he’d become her best friend all over again. A best friend she wanted to have sex with, that is.”
I actually live in Florida, only about forty miles from the University of Florida where Tom went to college in this book. I loved reading about places that were familiar to me. This was a fantastic start to this series and I so look forward to continuing on with book two, Then He Kissed Me, which will be Lauren and Nate’s story.
June 9, 2016
Free on Amazon 6/08/16
Amazon link
****Full Review****
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Allie is going back to her hometown to, hopefully, get the story that will give her a big promotion at work; all she has to do is rely on a ghost and an ex-boyfriend. Tom is surprised when Allie the girl he briefly dated in highschool and had to suddenly cut ties with shows up at a building demolition site of his and begs him to hold off on destroying the building. There's talk of a ghost but all Tom can hear is Allie saying he owes her and his guilt has him giving her 48hrs to investigate her ghost. With help and hindrance from family and town members, Allie and Tom might just discover a spark still burning.
With a fun and flirty cover, That Thing You Do, definitely followed suit with some cute and adorable moments in the actual story. Overall, I'd have to say this read a little more like women's fiction than a straight contemporary romance, though. The bulk of the book focuses on Allie's interaction with the array of townspeople characters while her and Tom's romance gets pushed to the side a bit until towards the end. The ghost story plot seemed weak (Allie has one night to investigate the ghost and she goes to sleep for the majority of the night when her job depends on it?) as there just wasn't enough to hold on to, while the relationships and interactions Allie formed because of investigating were more solid; characters were this story's strong point. The middle and towards the end sagged for me as we spent too much time with the seniors and other offshoot groups of the town, it all seemed like a lot of filler.
Allie was a great lead character to follow around; the directionless she exhibits in the middle I think can be tied to how the story was stretched out and the various filler (Allie’s roommate that seems like she is scamming her but nothing comes of it?) I mentioned. She was extremely likable and had some funny inner monologue moments that will endear her to many readers. Tom didn't quite show up as strongly, he disappeared too much as Allie got lost to the townspeople. He also had such a nice guy persona that it had him coming off as one dimensional. In the beginning, Tom and Allie had a sweetly shy and anticipatory air about them that never quite caught fire. They have their smile inducing moments but there just wasn't enough one on one interaction between the two to make them a truly memorable couple.
As I mentioned, the strength of this novel is the townspeople as a whole, the author created a wonderful cohesive and interesting group. From the small town feel, to how fast the gossip mill can run, to the real feeling of how families and friends interact, secondary characters here are topnotch. The drama between Allie's brother Zeke and his wife Mimi sucked me in, I in fact found myself way more interested in their story than Tom and Allie. Their relationship issues felt raw, real, painful, and passionate. Their story will be third in this series and I am definitely marking my calendar for when that book comes out.
If looking for a story that is more benign, the central focus is not a romantic relationship, and wanting to read about a larger group of characters, then this would be a worthy pick up. I would have liked more focus on Tom and Allie's building relationship and feelings but I and I know others, will appreciate the overall cast of characters.
Amazon link
****Full Review****
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Allie is going back to her hometown to, hopefully, get the story that will give her a big promotion at work; all she has to do is rely on a ghost and an ex-boyfriend. Tom is surprised when Allie the girl he briefly dated in highschool and had to suddenly cut ties with shows up at a building demolition site of his and begs him to hold off on destroying the building. There's talk of a ghost but all Tom can hear is Allie saying he owes her and his guilt has him giving her 48hrs to investigate her ghost. With help and hindrance from family and town members, Allie and Tom might just discover a spark still burning.
With a fun and flirty cover, That Thing You Do, definitely followed suit with some cute and adorable moments in the actual story. Overall, I'd have to say this read a little more like women's fiction than a straight contemporary romance, though. The bulk of the book focuses on Allie's interaction with the array of townspeople characters while her and Tom's romance gets pushed to the side a bit until towards the end. The ghost story plot seemed weak (Allie has one night to investigate the ghost and she goes to sleep for the majority of the night when her job depends on it?) as there just wasn't enough to hold on to, while the relationships and interactions Allie formed because of investigating were more solid; characters were this story's strong point. The middle and towards the end sagged for me as we spent too much time with the seniors and other offshoot groups of the town, it all seemed like a lot of filler.
Allie was a great lead character to follow around; the directionless she exhibits in the middle I think can be tied to how the story was stretched out and the various filler (Allie’s roommate that seems like she is scamming her but nothing comes of it?) I mentioned. She was extremely likable and had some funny inner monologue moments that will endear her to many readers. Tom didn't quite show up as strongly, he disappeared too much as Allie got lost to the townspeople. He also had such a nice guy persona that it had him coming off as one dimensional. In the beginning, Tom and Allie had a sweetly shy and anticipatory air about them that never quite caught fire. They have their smile inducing moments but there just wasn't enough one on one interaction between the two to make them a truly memorable couple.
As I mentioned, the strength of this novel is the townspeople as a whole, the author created a wonderful cohesive and interesting group. From the small town feel, to how fast the gossip mill can run, to the real feeling of how families and friends interact, secondary characters here are topnotch. The drama between Allie's brother Zeke and his wife Mimi sucked me in, I in fact found myself way more interested in their story than Tom and Allie. Their relationship issues felt raw, real, painful, and passionate. Their story will be third in this series and I am definitely marking my calendar for when that book comes out.
If looking for a story that is more benign, the central focus is not a romantic relationship, and wanting to read about a larger group of characters, then this would be a worthy pick up. I would have liked more focus on Tom and Allie's building relationship and feelings but I and I know others, will appreciate the overall cast of characters.
August 24, 2015
FREE!!
For being a free read on Amazon, I was loving this book all the way through. Yes, there were times I grew so frustrated at our main characters and their stubbornness to give love another chance.
A second chance romance with some ghostly happenings!
For being a free read on Amazon, I was loving this book all the way through. Yes, there were times I grew so frustrated at our main characters and their stubbornness to give love another chance.
A second chance romance with some ghostly happenings!
April 18, 2015
Check out more reviews at Little Miss Bookmark!
Allie Grant is a writer for the popular Florida! magazine. She's sent to her hometown when her editor receives a curious email about a ghost residing in an old senior center. Little does Allie know that she'll come face to face with Tom, her high school sweetheart and the one that got away. Tom is seemingly inserting himself into her investigation and Allie can't decide whether that is a good thing or a bad thing because her ex is too tempting to just ignore and she doesn't have time to be distracted.
That Thing You Do is a book by an author I haven't had the opportunity to hear of before and I was pleasantly surprised. Geraci writes a great sassy main character and the male counterpart was great as well with his quick comebacks. Speaking of these two characters, I think one of the things I liked the most was the relationship development between the them. As a reader, it's always difficult to be dropped into an existing relationship in a book because sometimes the author has all of this background info in their head and it never really translates onto the page. But that wasn't the case with this one. I didn't find that I was wondering about anything with these two and their past. The great thing is that it wasn't thrown at you all at once, you're given just tidbits at a time and that helps the anticipation mount. All of that makes for a great read.
Since you're back in Allie's hometown, there are quite a few characters to contend with but I didn't have any difficulty in keeping everything straight. It was actually interesting to learn about everyone and I'm hoping that their sub-plot stories will continue in the next installments of this series. There were quite a few endearing moments and I found myself smiling at some of the things Allie and Tom went through. This was a really good book and I'm definitely keeping my eyes open for the next one.
* I received this novel in exchange for an honest review *
Read
September 24, 2015Hmmmm... this one just isn't for me.
To all my clean romance reading friends... this is not clean... swearing throughout... skimmed and found a sex scene... don't pick it up if you're wanting a clean read.
Not going to do a star review since it wouldn't be fair to the author's ratings. :)
To all my clean romance reading friends... this is not clean... swearing throughout... skimmed and found a sex scene... don't pick it up if you're wanting a clean read.
Not going to do a star review since it wouldn't be fair to the author's ratings. :)
April 27, 2015
That Thing You Do by Maria Geraci is a 2015 TKA Distributions release. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I loved this cute romance novel filled with some of the most wonderful small town residents of Whispering Bay, Florida. This is a delightful small town, second chance at love, romance novel that is fun, spirited, and full of charm and depth.
Allie Grant is assigned a story by Florida! Magazine to investigate the alleged haunting of a senior citizens Center about to be demolished. This type of story is not the kind of reporting Allie really wants to do, but it appears it might be her niche. The problem is, the haunting is in Whispering Bay, the place Allie will always remember, not because it's her home town and she has fond memories, but because it was the place she suffered her worst humiliation, the place where her heart was broken, maybe for good. But, Allie needs this assignment and the money, so she drops everything and heads home to investigate a ghost story.
Tom can not believe he is face to face with Allie Grant after twelve years have passed. Tom and Allie were an item once, but their break up was a bad one, bad enough that Allie moved away to Tampa and he hasn't seen her since, until now. What is she doing breaking into the old senior citizen center in the dead of night? And why is seeing her again making him feel so awkward and confused?
They say it takes a village to raise a child, but in this case the group efforts of one small town brings together two people who were basically robbed of their chance at Happy ever after. This story made me laugh out loud, made me care about the characters, warmed my heart in a few places, and even had me a little misty eyed at the end. I liked the well rounded cast of characters who gave the story an added depth, and for the record, this book could be placed in the chick lit genre as well as contemporary romance. For those looking for high angst, overheated alpha males, erotica, or New Adult you might want to know that before you start the book. If you know what to expect going in, you will surely find this book to be as charming as I did.
This book is entertaining from start to finish. The ghost story and the town's resident's gave the book a whimsical and magical quality to it at times. One of the best parts of the story was the relationship Allie forges with one of the senior citizens in town, a kindred spirits of sorts and a source of inspiration to her in the long run.
There are some sexy moments, but the relationship itself was where the author chose to center the story. The issues that drove the couple apart twelve years ago was not uncommon, but in my humble opinion, two wrongs don't make a right, but Tom did what he thought was best, even if it wasn't what he really wanted to do.
Now twelve years later, Allie is suffering from 'once bitten, twice shy' syndrome, so she is fine with just having sex with Tom. In fact, she thought maybe it would help get him out of her system once and for all. But, feelings? Allie has no intentions of opening herself up to that kind of pain again, not with Tom. However, Tom does not like the 'hook up' and move on idea very much. Which is good, because it was about time Tom stood up and did the right thing.
But, can he convince Allie to make him a part of her four step life plan?
I hope we will touch base with these characters again because I think a full series built up around Whispering Bay would work out great. There were some residents of Whispering Bay that deserves a happy ever after of their own , and we need to know what the future holds for the long married couple Mimi and Zeke.
So, overall , this book worked for me because of the small town setting and the second chance at love themes, plus the light hearted feel good nature of the book. 4.5 stars
I loved this cute romance novel filled with some of the most wonderful small town residents of Whispering Bay, Florida. This is a delightful small town, second chance at love, romance novel that is fun, spirited, and full of charm and depth.
Allie Grant is assigned a story by Florida! Magazine to investigate the alleged haunting of a senior citizens Center about to be demolished. This type of story is not the kind of reporting Allie really wants to do, but it appears it might be her niche. The problem is, the haunting is in Whispering Bay, the place Allie will always remember, not because it's her home town and she has fond memories, but because it was the place she suffered her worst humiliation, the place where her heart was broken, maybe for good. But, Allie needs this assignment and the money, so she drops everything and heads home to investigate a ghost story.
Tom can not believe he is face to face with Allie Grant after twelve years have passed. Tom and Allie were an item once, but their break up was a bad one, bad enough that Allie moved away to Tampa and he hasn't seen her since, until now. What is she doing breaking into the old senior citizen center in the dead of night? And why is seeing her again making him feel so awkward and confused?
They say it takes a village to raise a child, but in this case the group efforts of one small town brings together two people who were basically robbed of their chance at Happy ever after. This story made me laugh out loud, made me care about the characters, warmed my heart in a few places, and even had me a little misty eyed at the end. I liked the well rounded cast of characters who gave the story an added depth, and for the record, this book could be placed in the chick lit genre as well as contemporary romance. For those looking for high angst, overheated alpha males, erotica, or New Adult you might want to know that before you start the book. If you know what to expect going in, you will surely find this book to be as charming as I did.
This book is entertaining from start to finish. The ghost story and the town's resident's gave the book a whimsical and magical quality to it at times. One of the best parts of the story was the relationship Allie forges with one of the senior citizens in town, a kindred spirits of sorts and a source of inspiration to her in the long run.
There are some sexy moments, but the relationship itself was where the author chose to center the story. The issues that drove the couple apart twelve years ago was not uncommon, but in my humble opinion, two wrongs don't make a right, but Tom did what he thought was best, even if it wasn't what he really wanted to do.
Now twelve years later, Allie is suffering from 'once bitten, twice shy' syndrome, so she is fine with just having sex with Tom. In fact, she thought maybe it would help get him out of her system once and for all. But, feelings? Allie has no intentions of opening herself up to that kind of pain again, not with Tom. However, Tom does not like the 'hook up' and move on idea very much. Which is good, because it was about time Tom stood up and did the right thing.
But, can he convince Allie to make him a part of her four step life plan?
I hope we will touch base with these characters again because I think a full series built up around Whispering Bay would work out great. There were some residents of Whispering Bay that deserves a happy ever after of their own , and we need to know what the future holds for the long married couple Mimi and Zeke.
So, overall , this book worked for me because of the small town setting and the second chance at love themes, plus the light hearted feel good nature of the book. 4.5 stars
April 12, 2015
Allie is so full of sass, "my parking lot. My building. You sound like a two-year-old. Is there anything here that isn’t yours?" Tom is quite the gentleman, "you were shivering so I wrapped my arms around you to keep you warm. End of story. Can I help it if you took advantage of my chivalrous nature?" Allie doesn't beat around bush the girl goes right for the kill, "you know what? I don’t care where you went tonight. Here’s the thing. I was thinking maybe we should have sex. Just once. To get it over with." Tom gives his girl a choice of where they have sex for the first time isn't that sweet of him? "Eff Madame Gloria. It’s here, against the side of the building, or my truck. Take your pick." I really liked this book I loved Tom.
April 15, 2015
I like this book, I mean really really like it. That Thing You Do has quickly become one of my most favorite second chance books. This book definitely makes you believe in the power of love. First loves that become the great love. The way the love of someone who has passed away makes itself known when you need it the most. The love of friends and family. It's all in this book. I seriously cannot wait to get my hands on the next books in the Whispering Pines, I mean Whispering Bay series.
I was given an ARC for the purpose of leaving a honest review.
I was given an ARC for the purpose of leaving a honest review.
October 14, 2020
When journalist Allie's latest assignment takes her back to her hometown of Whispering Bay, she's looking forward to seeing her family again and maybe writing an article that will eclipse the one she wrote about Perky the resurrected Duck. Getting this next one right will require an actual ghost haunting the building that once housed the local seniors' home, but it will also secure her full-time position at Florida! Magazine, netting her goal number 3 on her life's to-do list. But family isn't perfect, the meddling townsfolk are making things difficult, and the man who broke her heart twelve years ago is back in town. And in her way.
I love stories that reunite first loves, probably because the history is already established and therefore more believable when things move a little fast, and That Thing You Do was exactly what I was looking for.
Twelve years ago, Allie and Tom were pretty serious. In the end of their senior year, he was the big man on campus, and she was the best friend that could never live up to his perfect girlfriend. But when said perfect girlfriend broke up with Tom, his friendship with Allie grew into something more, and in true first love fashion, Allie thought it would last forever. But their perfect relationship abruptly came to an end, leaving Allie heartbroken and Tom starting a new life without her. Now a freelance writer for a respected magazine, Allie's chasing her latest story assignment, hoping this will be the one to set her career aflight, and she has no intention of revisiting the Great Humiliation she experienced with Tom all those years ago. Even if he is divorced and back in town again. Of course, that wouldn't make for much of a story, so Tom is the man responsible for the pending demolition of the very building rumored to house the ghost that Allie is chasing for her story. The only way she's going to get access -- or get the demolition delayed -- is by making nice with the man who broke her heart.
The key to a second chance romance is that the first chance was ruined somehow, and while each author tries to put a different spin on it, it generally boils down to one thing -- a giant misunderstanding, severe lack of maturity, or malicious manipulation. That Thing You Do bucks the general trend, though, and serves up a plot twist that is actually believable. While Tom and Allie were certainly in things for the long run, they hadn't been together terribly long when his ex-girlfriend discovered she was pregnant -- just far enough along to make it Tom's. And since she's a (gasp!) truly decent human being, this isn't some evil plan she's enacted. Allie's devastated, of course, when Tom breaks things off with her by announcing his plans for marriage to this other girl, but he's trying to do the right thing for his sudden family, and as awful as the whole mess is, I really couldn't blame him. Now, though, Tom is divorced, co-parenting with his ex-wife who is still just a genuinely good person, and when Allie crosses his path again, he can't fight his attraction to her.
I thought the story would be sweet, but it was also incredibly funny. Allie is easy to like and relate to, and her observations of the people and situations around her are thoroughly entertaining.
I also loved that the secondary and background characters were not just filler. They were people with their own problems, making their own mistakes, and living their lives around Allie but not centered around her. As much as her story might have piqued the small town's interest, Allie wasn't the only thing happening, and it made for a much livelier version of events than would have taken place if she and Tom had simply existed in some little bubble. From the drunken Bunko ladies to the insane ghost hunter to the lonely widower, Whispering Bay was filled with interesting characters and slices of real life that so many fiction stories simply forget about. That Thing You Do is the first book I've read by Maria Geraci, but I can tell you it certainly won't be the last. After falling into a kind of funk with romances that all sort of blend together, the Whispering Bay series is an awesome and refreshing change.
I received a free copy of this book from TKA Distribution (via NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review. (less)
I love stories that reunite first loves, probably because the history is already established and therefore more believable when things move a little fast, and That Thing You Do was exactly what I was looking for.
Twelve years ago, Allie and Tom were pretty serious. In the end of their senior year, he was the big man on campus, and she was the best friend that could never live up to his perfect girlfriend. But when said perfect girlfriend broke up with Tom, his friendship with Allie grew into something more, and in true first love fashion, Allie thought it would last forever. But their perfect relationship abruptly came to an end, leaving Allie heartbroken and Tom starting a new life without her. Now a freelance writer for a respected magazine, Allie's chasing her latest story assignment, hoping this will be the one to set her career aflight, and she has no intention of revisiting the Great Humiliation she experienced with Tom all those years ago. Even if he is divorced and back in town again. Of course, that wouldn't make for much of a story, so Tom is the man responsible for the pending demolition of the very building rumored to house the ghost that Allie is chasing for her story. The only way she's going to get access -- or get the demolition delayed -- is by making nice with the man who broke her heart.
The key to a second chance romance is that the first chance was ruined somehow, and while each author tries to put a different spin on it, it generally boils down to one thing -- a giant misunderstanding, severe lack of maturity, or malicious manipulation. That Thing You Do bucks the general trend, though, and serves up a plot twist that is actually believable. While Tom and Allie were certainly in things for the long run, they hadn't been together terribly long when his ex-girlfriend discovered she was pregnant -- just far enough along to make it Tom's. And since she's a (gasp!) truly decent human being, this isn't some evil plan she's enacted. Allie's devastated, of course, when Tom breaks things off with her by announcing his plans for marriage to this other girl, but he's trying to do the right thing for his sudden family, and as awful as the whole mess is, I really couldn't blame him. Now, though, Tom is divorced, co-parenting with his ex-wife who is still just a genuinely good person, and when Allie crosses his path again, he can't fight his attraction to her.
I thought the story would be sweet, but it was also incredibly funny. Allie is easy to like and relate to, and her observations of the people and situations around her are thoroughly entertaining.
Her last thought before hitting the floor was that ghosts weren't supposed to make physical contact. They needed Whoopi Goldberg for that.
I also loved that the secondary and background characters were not just filler. They were people with their own problems, making their own mistakes, and living their lives around Allie but not centered around her. As much as her story might have piqued the small town's interest, Allie wasn't the only thing happening, and it made for a much livelier version of events than would have taken place if she and Tom had simply existed in some little bubble. From the drunken Bunko ladies to the insane ghost hunter to the lonely widower, Whispering Bay was filled with interesting characters and slices of real life that so many fiction stories simply forget about. That Thing You Do is the first book I've read by Maria Geraci, but I can tell you it certainly won't be the last. After falling into a kind of funk with romances that all sort of blend together, the Whispering Bay series is an awesome and refreshing change.
I received a free copy of this book from TKA Distribution (via NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review. (less)
April 11, 2015
What a fun book! I love stories about second chances and this one didn't disappoint at all. Allie Grant returns to her hometown to follow up on a lead for her big break as a permanent writer for Florida! magazine. Following an anonymous tip that ghosts are haunting the soon-to-be demolished senior center Allie throws herself into the story with a lot of help from the quirky inhabitants of Whispering Bay. What she doesn't count on is a run in with her former high school sweetheart, Tom Donalan. Newly divorced Tom has also recently returned to town and is now the project manager for the development of a town center where the senior center now stands. Tom broke Allie's heart twelve years earlier to do the right thing by marrying his pregnant ex-girlfriend. With the help from some unlikely sources, sparks fly again between Allie and Tom.
Readers will remember Whispering Bay from Geraci's previous titles. This is the first book in this particular series and I can't wait to read more. As a reader, I loved how the author deftly handled Tom and Allie's relationship, both present and past. Both made human mistakes and both atoned for them. There were also several surprising plot twists in the book that keep the reader guessing. Some secondary plot issues were not fully resolved in book 1, leaving the door wide open for more books featuring the quirky townspeople.
Readers who enjoyed Kristan Higgin's Blue Heron series of books will love visiting Geraci's Whispering Bay. I know I did.
Readers will remember Whispering Bay from Geraci's previous titles. This is the first book in this particular series and I can't wait to read more. As a reader, I loved how the author deftly handled Tom and Allie's relationship, both present and past. Both made human mistakes and both atoned for them. There were also several surprising plot twists in the book that keep the reader guessing. Some secondary plot issues were not fully resolved in book 1, leaving the door wide open for more books featuring the quirky townspeople.
Readers who enjoyed Kristan Higgin's Blue Heron series of books will love visiting Geraci's Whispering Bay. I know I did.
May 4, 2015
This story touched my heart. It is filled with small town atmosphere, family connections, second chances, teenage angst, and love in all forms. And it all started with a ghost story.
Allie is trying to settle down in life, and reach her next life goal, full time job with benefits, after all, thirty is right here. She is sassy, and smart, loyal and kind, long legged beauty, journalist, waitress, and in trouble: she needs this article to get the full time job.
Tom is all around a good man. He is successful in his career, he is a great father, kind man with a big heart, and hot as all get out. The connection between Tom and Allie is bittersweet. The history they have is heartbreaking, and now the sexual tension is so tight, you can feel it in the air. They seem like the couple you want to cheer on, to do anything to make it work out.
The story is filled with compelling characters. I loved that they were so real, they had problems, nothing was perfect, but their life was like it is, some great things, with some failures, some heartbreak, some happiness, overall satisfying lives of the chances given to you. This tender story made me smile, it made me sigh, and it gave me some tears, and the tale will surely stay with me for a time
~ Five Spoons!
Allie is trying to settle down in life, and reach her next life goal, full time job with benefits, after all, thirty is right here. She is sassy, and smart, loyal and kind, long legged beauty, journalist, waitress, and in trouble: she needs this article to get the full time job.
Tom is all around a good man. He is successful in his career, he is a great father, kind man with a big heart, and hot as all get out. The connection between Tom and Allie is bittersweet. The history they have is heartbreaking, and now the sexual tension is so tight, you can feel it in the air. They seem like the couple you want to cheer on, to do anything to make it work out.
The story is filled with compelling characters. I loved that they were so real, they had problems, nothing was perfect, but their life was like it is, some great things, with some failures, some heartbreak, some happiness, overall satisfying lives of the chances given to you. This tender story made me smile, it made me sigh, and it gave me some tears, and the tale will surely stay with me for a time
~ Five Spoons!
October 27, 2015
I was given an ARC of this book from the author for an honest review. I want to thank Ms. Geraci for sharing her book with me and apologize for not having the chance to read it sooner. The story grabbed me from the opening paragraph. The characters are believable and well developed. I am definitely looking forward to reading more of this series.
The town of Whispering Bay is a small coastal town in Florida, south of Tampa Bay on the Gulf Coast. This is Allie Grant's story. She left Whispering Bay when she went to college and never moved back. Her brother and sister-in-law still live in the same town. Her brother is the local law enforcement. Allie is a freelance author, just scraping by. She's hoping to eventually be hired full time by Florida! magazine. She is sent back to Whispering Bay by her editor at Florida! to do a story on a supposed ghost, at the former senior center in town that is about to be demolished. Allie is okay with a ghost, it's her former boyfriend that she doesn't expect to see again since he moved away after high school. Allie and some of the people we meet in this story are a little quirky and fun, making this an enjoyable story. I was drawn into Allie's story and was sad to come to the end of this story.
The town of Whispering Bay is a small coastal town in Florida, south of Tampa Bay on the Gulf Coast. This is Allie Grant's story. She left Whispering Bay when she went to college and never moved back. Her brother and sister-in-law still live in the same town. Her brother is the local law enforcement. Allie is a freelance author, just scraping by. She's hoping to eventually be hired full time by Florida! magazine. She is sent back to Whispering Bay by her editor at Florida! to do a story on a supposed ghost, at the former senior center in town that is about to be demolished. Allie is okay with a ghost, it's her former boyfriend that she doesn't expect to see again since he moved away after high school. Allie and some of the people we meet in this story are a little quirky and fun, making this an enjoyable story. I was drawn into Allie's story and was sad to come to the end of this story.
April 8, 2015
I started reading this book on a sunny, Spring day, out on my porch and could not put it down. The flip-flop pattern sunburn on the tops of my feet reminded me of our latitude. But, the sting was WORTH it. The small, North Florida town setting drew me in, but Geraci's magic made we want to stay.I loved her cast of characters, no, I take that back, I LIKED them, I really LIKED them. Allie, a hardworking, young journalist making her way in the world returns to her hometown on an assignment that was surreptitiously placed in her editor's in-box. Allie's brother, Zeke, Whispering Bay's Chief of Police and his wife, Mimi play host and Allie senses all is not well in their "perfect" marriage. Tom - the rugged construction manager is THE ONE - that never was...but should have been. Throw in some tipsy Bunco Babes and watchful Gray Flamingos and surround it all with the gentle presence of Allie's grandmother, Buela. I love romances that develop as the characters surrounding the lovers grow as well. I CAN"T WAIT to read the next two books in this series! (I just won't forget the sunscreen ;) )
May 14, 2015
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads
As this is the first in a series, it spends quite a lot of time giving us the background and cast that will, I presume, entertain us further in books to follow. I can report that this is done in a good way. The people are introduced in situation, and there are not a great long explanations which pull away from the current situation - Ms Geraci did a great job of setting everything up in a natural way, and I have already got my favourites.
In a way this community building made us see more of Ali, than Ali and Tom, which was maybe a bit disappointing - perhaps their future is plotted into upcoming stories. Ali has a great personality and her humour is fun - and her 'alternative' swear words did make me laugh out loud. The romance is definitely sweet rather than chemistry laden. Looking forward to the next in the series.
As this is the first in a series, it spends quite a lot of time giving us the background and cast that will, I presume, entertain us further in books to follow. I can report that this is done in a good way. The people are introduced in situation, and there are not a great long explanations which pull away from the current situation - Ms Geraci did a great job of setting everything up in a natural way, and I have already got my favourites.
In a way this community building made us see more of Ali, than Ali and Tom, which was maybe a bit disappointing - perhaps their future is plotted into upcoming stories. Ali has a great personality and her humour is fun - and her 'alternative' swear words did make me laugh out loud. The romance is definitely sweet rather than chemistry laden. Looking forward to the next in the series.
April 26, 2015
Blast-from-the past romance at its best. In high school Tom and Allie had real romance that started as friends and grew into love. It all came crashing down when an old girlfriend turned up pregnant. Now, 12 years later, Allie is back in town and Tom is divorced. We have a meddlesome ghost, a coin collecting photographer, and enough drama to keep the pages turning and the excitement high.
I can't wait to read Lauren's story in "Then He Kissed Me."
I can't wait to read Lauren's story in "Then He Kissed Me."
June 21, 2015
This is a nice beginning to a new series. Allie and Tom were high school sweethearts until everything fell apart and both left Whispering Bay. Tom returned with a son and an ex-wife. Allie came back to visit her brother and investigate a story for a magazine article. With a haunted senior center as a backdrop this is a nice romantic love story. Great setting, great families and a hint of ghost and magic.
April 28, 2015
This is a fabulously fun read! The author does a beautiful job of creating characters we can all relate to, fictional people who feel like personal friends by the end of the book. I almost hated to finish this book because I knew I would have to wait for the second part of the trilogy to come out!
April 28, 2015
Reading Maria's books are like catching up with old friends you haven't seen in a while. Their histories and connections give each a depth that makes the stories fun and relateable. The settings located in small town Florida panhandle are someplace everyone would want to visit or have visited and can relate to the dynamics found. Can't wait to read the rest in the series!!
August 4, 2015
This is my first book by Maria Geraci but it won't be my last. This book is so well written that I fell in love with all of the characters. This book is about love and second chances. I had a very hard time putting the book down because I had to see what would happen next. This is the first book in the Whispering Bay Series and I am looking forward to the rest of the series.
April 29, 2015
I was given a advance copy of this book by netgallery in exchange for a honest review.
I really liked this story,second chance at love,small town feel with all the quirks of living in a town where everyone knows everything about you. Its the first book in a series that I hope to read.The story was fast paced enough to keep my attention.I will recomend this author to my reading friends.
I really liked this story,second chance at love,small town feel with all the quirks of living in a town where everyone knows everything about you. Its the first book in a series that I hope to read.The story was fast paced enough to keep my attention.I will recomend this author to my reading friends.
April 28, 2015
This is a very enjoyable story. I liked the characters very much and wanted to know more about everyone. The story is manly about Allie, which makes it seem to border on women's fiction. I will read the next book because I really want to know what happens to those characters I enjoyed so much.
April 23, 2015
It was a wonderful book! Have you ever thought of your first love? How it would be to be given that second chance. Then you would love this book , I can't wait till the next one is out.
September 29, 2021
I was given an advance copy of this book by netgallery in exchange for a honest review.
Second chance at romance? Why yes, who doesn't love reading books like this! Coming from a small town, I enjoyed this cute story of a sweet romance mixed with a ghost story. Great first book to a series!
Second chance at romance? Why yes, who doesn't love reading books like this! Coming from a small town, I enjoyed this cute story of a sweet romance mixed with a ghost story. Great first book to a series!
May 12, 2015
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
The Players: Tom Donolan and Allie Grant
The Story: Tom and Allie became fast friends during their senior year of high school. Tom was the captain of the football team and dated the head cheerleader, Lauren. When Lauren broke up with the week before prom, he asked his best friend, Allie, to the dance. As the summer progressed, so did their romance, until the night that Tom broke up with her the night after she told him she loved him. Because he had gotten his former girlfriend pregnant and he was going to do the right thing and marry her.
Fast forward to 12 years later and Allie is now a free lance journalist who's returned to her hometown in pursuit of a story about the haunting of the former senior center in Whispering Bay. Allie is still trying to fulfill her life "Life Goals three and four": getting a full time job and building a family of her own.
Tom Donalan is also back in Whispering Bay. His now ex-wife moved back to town with his son, Henry, and he followed suit because he didn't like the fact that he didn't get to be as much of a part of his son's life as he wanted. He's made many mistakes in his life, but being a part time father is not one of them.
When Allie finds out that Tom is the construction manager for the demolitation of the building, she tries to talk him into letting her inside to investigate. When that fails, she turns to her sister in law who calls in her Bunco Babes to the rescue.
Lots of unexplained incidents, a medium, a seance, out of control teens and a old feelings brought to the fore are just some of the story points in this book.
Plot: There were a few things about this book that, to me, didn't seem to fit. I realize that the teenage angst is probably going to set up a future book, but it didn't add much to the overall story. Also, the constant references to a 60s music playlist began to take away from the story and I found myself skipping paragraphs as the story seemed to drag toward the end of the book and yet the ending itself seemed hurried.
Part of a Series: Whispering Bay
~~Wicked Reads Review Team~~
The Players: Tom Donolan and Allie Grant
The Story: Tom and Allie became fast friends during their senior year of high school. Tom was the captain of the football team and dated the head cheerleader, Lauren. When Lauren broke up with the week before prom, he asked his best friend, Allie, to the dance. As the summer progressed, so did their romance, until the night that Tom broke up with her the night after she told him she loved him. Because he had gotten his former girlfriend pregnant and he was going to do the right thing and marry her.
Fast forward to 12 years later and Allie is now a free lance journalist who's returned to her hometown in pursuit of a story about the haunting of the former senior center in Whispering Bay. Allie is still trying to fulfill her life "Life Goals three and four": getting a full time job and building a family of her own.
Tom Donalan is also back in Whispering Bay. His now ex-wife moved back to town with his son, Henry, and he followed suit because he didn't like the fact that he didn't get to be as much of a part of his son's life as he wanted. He's made many mistakes in his life, but being a part time father is not one of them.
When Allie finds out that Tom is the construction manager for the demolitation of the building, she tries to talk him into letting her inside to investigate. When that fails, she turns to her sister in law who calls in her Bunco Babes to the rescue.
Lots of unexplained incidents, a medium, a seance, out of control teens and a old feelings brought to the fore are just some of the story points in this book.
Plot: There were a few things about this book that, to me, didn't seem to fit. I realize that the teenage angst is probably going to set up a future book, but it didn't add much to the overall story. Also, the constant references to a 60s music playlist began to take away from the story and I found myself skipping paragraphs as the story seemed to drag toward the end of the book and yet the ending itself seemed hurried.
Part of a Series: Whispering Bay
~~Wicked Reads Review Team~~
May 6, 2015
I’m always up for a second chance romance, and Maria Geraci has brought a lovely one in this story. Allie is a writer for Florida! Magazine, and her editor has given her an assignment: investigate a haunting at a Senior center in her hometown. She wants the assignment desperately, but returning to Whispering Bay is not, and never will be on her list of things to do.
Twelve years earlier, she and Tom had been an item: perhaps THE item, but everything ended badly and she retreated to Tampa to nurse a broken heart. As luck would have it, Tom is the foreman of the construction company that is slated to demolish the purportedly haunted center, and he’s the one to catch Allie breaking in late one night. After not seeing her for years, and really not (so he believes) pining for her, why can’t he ignore the confusion and attraction?
Character driven with moments of shenanigans and strange occurrences that may or may not be ghostly in nature, this story moves forward quickly, well-paced and plotted. Development of both Allie and Tom is detailed, giving backstory, thoughts and a solid sense of love found again keeps the dance between Allie and Tom fresh and amusing. In their first attempt, Allie and Tom’s end was not a pretty, nor deserved, one, and the whole town is cheering them on this time, even manipulating situations to push them together. It’s really sweet and cute to have everyone hoping for an HEA IN the book, it just adds to reader’s emotions and wishes for the same thing.
With a few sexy moments that are well-placed but develop in content to show the relationship deepening, this really is a story centered on their story as they work to mend the hurts of the past and look forward to a future. A lovely start to a series.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Twelve years earlier, she and Tom had been an item: perhaps THE item, but everything ended badly and she retreated to Tampa to nurse a broken heart. As luck would have it, Tom is the foreman of the construction company that is slated to demolish the purportedly haunted center, and he’s the one to catch Allie breaking in late one night. After not seeing her for years, and really not (so he believes) pining for her, why can’t he ignore the confusion and attraction?
Character driven with moments of shenanigans and strange occurrences that may or may not be ghostly in nature, this story moves forward quickly, well-paced and plotted. Development of both Allie and Tom is detailed, giving backstory, thoughts and a solid sense of love found again keeps the dance between Allie and Tom fresh and amusing. In their first attempt, Allie and Tom’s end was not a pretty, nor deserved, one, and the whole town is cheering them on this time, even manipulating situations to push them together. It’s really sweet and cute to have everyone hoping for an HEA IN the book, it just adds to reader’s emotions and wishes for the same thing.
With a few sexy moments that are well-placed but develop in content to show the relationship deepening, this really is a story centered on their story as they work to mend the hurts of the past and look forward to a future. A lovely start to a series.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
May 6, 2015
I find myself in a bit of a conundrum over this one. I found it to be a sweet read with a great cast of interesting and quirky characters, but the romance aspect didn’t really make a huge impact on me and had me feeling like I was reading more a chick lit/women’s fiction novel rather than a true contemporary romance.
Allie is sassy and confident. Tom is the do the right thing golden boy. I can’t say that I didn’t like either of the, because I did, even when some of their decisions had me scratching my head, but I didn’t get caught up in their second chance at love journey. While there were sparks between them, nothing really caught on fire for me. It felt like things were about to happen, but would stall. I wish it did because after finding out just what tore them apart as teenagers I was looking forward to seeing how they pushed past it and worked to get to know each other again.
While the romance aspect of the book may not have done it for me, I do have to say that I really liked how the author brought that small town feel to life. Everyone may not know each other personally, they all find a way to know about what’s going on with each other one way or another. Nothing stays secret for long in a small town. Each character you meet along the way has their own unique personality and helps to draw you into the story, even if they are only in it for a moment or two. And though this isn’t a full blown urban fantasy/paranormal story in anyway, the little touch of it that does appear in the story is really sweet and done very well.
Overall: Even though the romance aspect of the story didn’t move me, I still found the overall story to be a fun read filled with well written characters throughout.
~ ARC provided by TKA Distribution via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review ~
Allie is sassy and confident. Tom is the do the right thing golden boy. I can’t say that I didn’t like either of the, because I did, even when some of their decisions had me scratching my head, but I didn’t get caught up in their second chance at love journey. While there were sparks between them, nothing really caught on fire for me. It felt like things were about to happen, but would stall. I wish it did because after finding out just what tore them apart as teenagers I was looking forward to seeing how they pushed past it and worked to get to know each other again.
While the romance aspect of the book may not have done it for me, I do have to say that I really liked how the author brought that small town feel to life. Everyone may not know each other personally, they all find a way to know about what’s going on with each other one way or another. Nothing stays secret for long in a small town. Each character you meet along the way has their own unique personality and helps to draw you into the story, even if they are only in it for a moment or two. And though this isn’t a full blown urban fantasy/paranormal story in anyway, the little touch of it that does appear in the story is really sweet and done very well.
Overall: Even though the romance aspect of the story didn’t move me, I still found the overall story to be a fun read filled with well written characters throughout.
~ ARC provided by TKA Distribution via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review ~
April 29, 2015
I received a copy of this book from the author for free in exchange for an honest review!
I LOVE Maria Geraci and I absolutely LOVED this story!!!! Once I started That Thing You Do, I could NOT put it down! Seriously.... I COULD NOT PUT THIS BOOK DOWN!! I literally had to devour it!
Allie goes back to her hometown to investigate a story about a haunted building after she receives an anonymous letter from a Concerned Citizen informing her about a ghost. While she is sneaking into this haunted building she runs into her ex boyfriend Tom who now owns the building. I absolutely LOVE the interaction between Allie and Tom. You totally fall in love with Allie's character and you can relate to her right from the start. She is so fun and filled with so much personality. I want to be BFF's with her. As for Tom, I want to steal him for myself! He is such a hunk! ;) Watching these two fall in love is so much fun.
My favorite thing about this book is it literally had me laughing out loud and I could NOT stop smiling while I was reading. I love Maria's amazing ability to tell a GREAT, fun story! It's such an awesome feeling when you can connect with a book and its characters. Maria totally does that for me and more. She is a story telling GENIUS!
I ABSOLUTELY recommend this book!!! That Thing You Do is a MUST READ! If you don't get your copy today, you are TOTALLY missing out! I was so sad to say goodbye to Allie and Tom, and for this book to end. I miss these characters already! This is a book that I will keep in my collection forever and reread! I can NOT wait to read what is next in the Whispering Bay Romance Series!!! I want MORE!!! With this book Maria is now one of my most coveted authors and I will read EVERY one of her books! Thank you so much Maria for such an awesome fun read!!!
I LOVE Maria Geraci and I absolutely LOVED this story!!!! Once I started That Thing You Do, I could NOT put it down! Seriously.... I COULD NOT PUT THIS BOOK DOWN!! I literally had to devour it!
Allie goes back to her hometown to investigate a story about a haunted building after she receives an anonymous letter from a Concerned Citizen informing her about a ghost. While she is sneaking into this haunted building she runs into her ex boyfriend Tom who now owns the building. I absolutely LOVE the interaction between Allie and Tom. You totally fall in love with Allie's character and you can relate to her right from the start. She is so fun and filled with so much personality. I want to be BFF's with her. As for Tom, I want to steal him for myself! He is such a hunk! ;) Watching these two fall in love is so much fun.
My favorite thing about this book is it literally had me laughing out loud and I could NOT stop smiling while I was reading. I love Maria's amazing ability to tell a GREAT, fun story! It's such an awesome feeling when you can connect with a book and its characters. Maria totally does that for me and more. She is a story telling GENIUS!
I ABSOLUTELY recommend this book!!! That Thing You Do is a MUST READ! If you don't get your copy today, you are TOTALLY missing out! I was so sad to say goodbye to Allie and Tom, and for this book to end. I miss these characters already! This is a book that I will keep in my collection forever and reread! I can NOT wait to read what is next in the Whispering Bay Romance Series!!! I want MORE!!! With this book Maria is now one of my most coveted authors and I will read EVERY one of her books! Thank you so much Maria for such an awesome fun read!!!
October 31, 2017
I received this book from Writerspace in exchange for an honest review. This in no way influenced my review.
That Thing You Do by Maria Geraci is my first book by this author. It definitely will not be my last. Allie Grant is a part time freelance writer for Florida! magazine. She wants to become a full time writer there so she can devote all her time to writing and give up her waitress job. There is a full time position opening up and it is between her and one other candidate. Whoever writes the best article will get the job. Allie wants this with all her heart.
An anonymous letter comes to her from her home town of Whispering Bay. It explains that the senior center is scheduled to be torn down and it is rumored it is inhabited by a ghost. Allie jumps at the chance to cover this story in her hometown. She is surprised to find when she gets there that her old boyfriend, Tom Donalan, is the construction manager in charge of tearing down the old senior center. Their relationship ended badly. Tom broke Allie's heart and then some. Yet neither has forgotten the other and there are still strong feelings in both of their hearts.
This book is full of love and laughs with a little bit of heartache also. You are just going to have to pick up this book to find how or even if Allie and Tom find their happy ever after. Although this is book one of the Whispering Bay Romance series it is a standalone with no cliff hanger.
That Thing You Do by Maria Geraci is my first book by this author. It definitely will not be my last. Allie Grant is a part time freelance writer for Florida! magazine. She wants to become a full time writer there so she can devote all her time to writing and give up her waitress job. There is a full time position opening up and it is between her and one other candidate. Whoever writes the best article will get the job. Allie wants this with all her heart.
An anonymous letter comes to her from her home town of Whispering Bay. It explains that the senior center is scheduled to be torn down and it is rumored it is inhabited by a ghost. Allie jumps at the chance to cover this story in her hometown. She is surprised to find when she gets there that her old boyfriend, Tom Donalan, is the construction manager in charge of tearing down the old senior center. Their relationship ended badly. Tom broke Allie's heart and then some. Yet neither has forgotten the other and there are still strong feelings in both of their hearts.
This book is full of love and laughs with a little bit of heartache also. You are just going to have to pick up this book to find how or even if Allie and Tom find their happy ever after. Although this is book one of the Whispering Bay Romance series it is a standalone with no cliff hanger.
December 7, 2015
Suffice it to say, I was disappointed in this book. It started well, but I thought somewhere in the middle of the book it kind of lost its way. There were a couple of points where I really wanted to shake some sense into Allie. For example, if .
Also, after having read the entire book, I still haven't a clue where the title came from or what it alludes to. Did I miss something? And why do I care? Usually I don't, but somehow the title is a greater mystery to me than the ghost was!
Ah well, it's a light, romantic read with a happy ending. For some, this will be sufficient. For those looking for more, I recommend giving this one a pass.
Disclaimer: I received a free electronic galley proof of this book from the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.
Also, after having read the entire book, I still haven't a clue where the title came from or what it alludes to. Did I miss something? And why do I care? Usually I don't, but somehow the title is a greater mystery to me than the ghost was!
Ah well, it's a light, romantic read with a happy ending. For some, this will be sufficient. For those looking for more, I recommend giving this one a pass.
Disclaimer: I received a free electronic galley proof of this book from the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.
April 25, 2015
I received this book as an advanced copy for review. I thank the author for the opportunity.
That Thing You Do is a cute love story. Allie and Tom, ill-fated once-lovers have to come to grips with working with one another on a project. Will Allie's past struggles keep her heart at bay? Or will Tom see past her barriers and soften her heart? How much can Allie give in without losing herself and the woman she is attempting to become?
I felt Allie was a little immature and irresponsible in this book. Yes, she had a four part plan but she seemed to be living by the seat of her pants and clearly had no real direction.
If only real life were so predictable and convenient. The book was cute, and a fast read. I felt there were more aspects of the (what seemed like) the main story about the ghosts that actually was unresolved and could have been developed a little more. On one hand, it was the reason she was there, and there were unexplained "happenings" but on the other hand it was a hoax. I had a hard time following the thinking in that.
But, in keeping with the fact this is a book and the author has creative license to do whatever she wants, I enjoyed the book, and would recommend it as a nice beach read on a hot summers day.
That Thing You Do is a cute love story. Allie and Tom, ill-fated once-lovers have to come to grips with working with one another on a project. Will Allie's past struggles keep her heart at bay? Or will Tom see past her barriers and soften her heart? How much can Allie give in without losing herself and the woman she is attempting to become?
I felt Allie was a little immature and irresponsible in this book. Yes, she had a four part plan but she seemed to be living by the seat of her pants and clearly had no real direction.
If only real life were so predictable and convenient. The book was cute, and a fast read. I felt there were more aspects of the (what seemed like) the main story about the ghosts that actually was unresolved and could have been developed a little more. On one hand, it was the reason she was there, and there were unexplained "happenings" but on the other hand it was a hoax. I had a hard time following the thinking in that.
But, in keeping with the fact this is a book and the author has creative license to do whatever she wants, I enjoyed the book, and would recommend it as a nice beach read on a hot summers day.
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