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Fortunate Sum
Catherine Carter earned her spot as one of New York’s top financial advisors by following the rules and reaching her every goal. The same applies to Catherine’s personal life. Her next self-imposed deadline is looming, and all that’s left to do is to meet the perfect man.
At her friend’s urging, skeptical Catherine meets with a psychic who tells her to look for the color blue, and that’s when life spirals from her control.
Prospective client, quirky Imogene Harris, is reluctant to hire anyone to help with her inheritance, but when she sees what’s being offered, she has a change of heart.
Catherine denies her attraction to Imogene. Imogene is falling for the woman behind the numbers. Not even a rocky start, secret past, or misinterpreted predictions can stop the women from being drawn to one another. Together they learn that perhaps blue isn’t the color of sadness after all…
At her friend’s urging, skeptical Catherine meets with a psychic who tells her to look for the color blue, and that’s when life spirals from her control.
Prospective client, quirky Imogene Harris, is reluctant to hire anyone to help with her inheritance, but when she sees what’s being offered, she has a change of heart.
Catherine denies her attraction to Imogene. Imogene is falling for the woman behind the numbers. Not even a rocky start, secret past, or misinterpreted predictions can stop the women from being drawn to one another. Together they learn that perhaps blue isn’t the color of sadness after all…
240 pages, Paperback
First published March 15, 2016
12 people are currently reading
449 people want to read
About the author
M. Ullrich
14 books202 followersM. Ullrich is a four-time Goldie Award finalist and a two-time Lambda Literary Award finalist, and she has been featured in The Advocate magazine. She currently resides by the New Jersey Shore, but dreams of living someplace a little less touristy and with a whole lot less road rage. When she’s not writing or working her full-time job, M. Ullrich appreciates the simple pleasures in life like breakfast foods and sweet treats, working on her artistic skills, and enjoying the company of someone who laughs at her ridiculous humor.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
October 20, 2017
A slow beginning but picked up after a few chapters in where readers gets to understand both leading ladies more: their likes & dislikes in life,what made each of them have so many problems since being in a relationship plus there was even an added storyline involving psychic reading which was okay because it layed the ground work for some good sideway information for both character. Nice friendships,little family drama,past ex/bitter relationship issues,job issues and enjoyable sex scenes even steamy at times...also lets not forget the contentions between them but eventually this was very well written and together they had so much chemistry..recommend
April 7, 2016
A brand new author with a very good romance novel. Yay! I like that a lot. That's a sign that many more good books are yet to come.
This story was my cup of tea. A debut novel which definitely didn't feel like a debut, but a mature romance novel.
The plot was fresh and interesting, the protagonists were nice people with flaws and some baggage from the past, the pacing was great with a very nicely done twist. The secondary characters are also very well done (especially best friends), and the dialogue was natural sounding. The reason for breaking up was strong and convincing -- a very well done high point of the story in all. Add to this a nice and satisfying ending, and you have a perfectly rounded book.
4.5 stars, rounded up considering it's the author's first published novel
*ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley*
This story was my cup of tea. A debut novel which definitely didn't feel like a debut, but a mature romance novel.
The plot was fresh and interesting, the protagonists were nice people with flaws and some baggage from the past, the pacing was great with a very nicely done twist. The secondary characters are also very well done (especially best friends), and the dialogue was natural sounding. The reason for breaking up was strong and convincing -- a very well done high point of the story in all. Add to this a nice and satisfying ending, and you have a perfectly rounded book.
4.5 stars, rounded up considering it's the author's first published novel
*ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley*
March 6, 2016
Nothing screams formula quite like vanilla romances. Combine that with the lightweight blurb/cover and an unknown author and I was ready to give this book a pass. Who'd have thought that the Netgalley book I was least excited about this month would turn out to be my favorite of the bunch?
Catherine Carter has worked her way to the top of a NY financial consultancy firm before she even reached the age of 30(!), thanks to her single minded pursuit of her career goals. Her only remaining life goal is just a little bit more elusive--love. A chance encounter with a psychic assures her she can be happy before thirty... and the color blue will play a big part in it (makes me wonder if 'Fortunate Blue' would have been a more apt title :) ). Catherine initially thinks it's just a lot of crock, but the psychic's uncanny ability to look into her past and see her profound sadness from an old and terrible betrayal, has her taking a second look at everything blue and trying to find true love there. :) (how about 'Love is Blue' as the title, lol)
Imogene is as quirky as Catherine is square. She has translated her eclectic tastes into a stable career as an entrepreneur running a fashion boutique. After receiving a hefty inheritance, she is advised to let a financial advisor handle her money affairs. Enter Catherine. Over several meetings, Catherine can't help noticing the blue eyes and the bits and pieces of Imogene's blue clothes--was it kismet? coincidence? or was it all a setup by Imogene's psychic best friend?
I spent the first 40-ish% of the book wishing I hadn't picked this book. And the last 60-ish% wondering why I hadn't read it sooner. :)
Possible minor spoilers up ahead.
These are some of my initial impressions:
Catherine seemed a bit young to be such a hotshot financial advisor. It's probably doable, but it would feel more realistic if she were in her mid to late 30s. Then again, that would be stretching the believability of her old college flame still keeping her from moving on. Imogene on the other hand, suffered a tremendous loss in New York City over a decade ago (!) that she never recovered from. Just thinking about New York City, never mind actually stepping inside it, makes her go into a panic attack. It's hard to imagine that all that time Imogene and her inner circle have never attempted to help her heal. That's the initial setup. Not very realistic, imho.
A couple of other little nitpicks:
Early on, while introducing her lead character, there was a bit of not-too-subtle hero-worshipping of the lead character. E.g. The firm had become a household name in the world of finance since they had taken Catherine under their wing seven years prior. and Their youngest financial advisor approached each client with a unique combination of care, dedication, and brutality. That technique spelled success. I think it might have worked better if those sentences were better framed, such as if someone had said them instead of it just being thrown out. Maybe they were someone's thoughts, but maybe not. It was hard to tell.
Also, at one point, we were "told" that Catherine thought that Imogene brought back her "spontaneity, humor, and liveliness". This not only made me do a double take, but I actually went and re-read several chapters just so I could be sure it didn't actually happen and I hadn't just missed it--nope, no clear signal of that. Attraction, confusion, some staring, running away from and a host of other feelings, but not "spontaneity, humor, and liveliness". It does actually happen though, in the next few paragraphs, lol, so that was forgivable.
Okay, normally, I wouldn't pay such close attention to these little imperfections, but this is a romance first and foremost, and you know how it is with these books, it's all about the "romantic development". ;)
And this is when it gets better:
Anyway, so once Catherine does get some serious alone time with Imogene (around 42% onwards), that's when the book perks up by leaps and bounds, and never looks back. I've noticed that it is easier to nitpick what's wrong with a book but much harder to analyze what's right with it. You get caught up in it and just let it take you whichever way it wants and everything just flows and feels so natural and so right. That's what the second half of the book did to me. If I have to break it down, it'll be a combination of lots of things done right. The 'telling rather than showing' that plagued some of the earlier paragraphs all but disappeared. Imogene's characterization is another strong point. She's just awesome in every way--scared yet incredibly brave at the same time, daring and willing to take a chance, emotional but centered, strong yet incredibly vulnerable. She's the kind of character that I read lesfic for. Catherine is more stock and therefore predictable. The mythical ex, Linda. I wasn't expecting that. She could easily have been a caricature. Exes usually are just plot devices to drive a wedge between our leads. But this lady literally came alive. Even to the end, she was very human. Not very likable, but human nonetheless.
I seldom give sex in a romance book more attention than a cursory single-word review, because that's usually all the attention it deserves--good but not particularly memorable. But the sex scenes here are amazingly hot. I'd gushed about the erotic scenes in Cake but the ones here are even better. The eroticism is on par with Cake but the deep emotional connection the reader has with the characters makes it way better and more meaningful--truly an expression of love. As it should be.
The plot twists here (if you can even call them that) are such common tropes in lesfic they usually don't do much for me except make my eyes roll. But in this book, I loved what the author did. She even had the chutzpah to do it twice! And I think I even teared-up both times, lol. And to think that I consider myself a fairly jaded romance reader. But it was such delicious drama and angst. I'm trying to analyze what she did differently from other authors and I guess it comes down to how strongly she made me feel about the characters involved. I wanted to strangle Cat at one point, kick Linda in the ass every time, but mostly I wanted to hug Imogene and love her forever.
4 for the first 40%
5 for the last 60%
4.6 stars overall
P.S. Almost forgot to mention the blue connection. The whole psychic thing may sound hokey but it was actually quite well done. Makes you wonder....
Catherine Carter has worked her way to the top of a NY financial consultancy firm before she even reached the age of 30(!), thanks to her single minded pursuit of her career goals. Her only remaining life goal is just a little bit more elusive--love. A chance encounter with a psychic assures her she can be happy before thirty... and the color blue will play a big part in it (makes me wonder if 'Fortunate Blue' would have been a more apt title :) ). Catherine initially thinks it's just a lot of crock, but the psychic's uncanny ability to look into her past and see her profound sadness from an old and terrible betrayal, has her taking a second look at everything blue and trying to find true love there. :) (how about 'Love is Blue' as the title, lol)
Imogene is as quirky as Catherine is square. She has translated her eclectic tastes into a stable career as an entrepreneur running a fashion boutique. After receiving a hefty inheritance, she is advised to let a financial advisor handle her money affairs. Enter Catherine. Over several meetings, Catherine can't help noticing the blue eyes and the bits and pieces of Imogene's blue clothes--was it kismet? coincidence? or was it all a setup by Imogene's psychic best friend?
I spent the first 40-ish% of the book wishing I hadn't picked this book. And the last 60-ish% wondering why I hadn't read it sooner. :)
Possible minor spoilers up ahead.
These are some of my initial impressions:
Catherine seemed a bit young to be such a hotshot financial advisor. It's probably doable, but it would feel more realistic if she were in her mid to late 30s. Then again, that would be stretching the believability of her old college flame still keeping her from moving on. Imogene on the other hand, suffered a tremendous loss in New York City over a decade ago (!) that she never recovered from. Just thinking about New York City, never mind actually stepping inside it, makes her go into a panic attack. It's hard to imagine that all that time Imogene and her inner circle have never attempted to help her heal. That's the initial setup. Not very realistic, imho.
A couple of other little nitpicks:
Early on, while introducing her lead character, there was a bit of not-too-subtle hero-worshipping of the lead character. E.g. The firm had become a household name in the world of finance since they had taken Catherine under their wing seven years prior. and Their youngest financial advisor approached each client with a unique combination of care, dedication, and brutality. That technique spelled success. I think it might have worked better if those sentences were better framed, such as if someone had said them instead of it just being thrown out. Maybe they were someone's thoughts, but maybe not. It was hard to tell.
Also, at one point, we were "told" that Catherine thought that Imogene brought back her "spontaneity, humor, and liveliness". This not only made me do a double take, but I actually went and re-read several chapters just so I could be sure it didn't actually happen and I hadn't just missed it--nope, no clear signal of that. Attraction, confusion, some staring, running away from and a host of other feelings, but not "spontaneity, humor, and liveliness". It does actually happen though, in the next few paragraphs, lol, so that was forgivable.
Okay, normally, I wouldn't pay such close attention to these little imperfections, but this is a romance first and foremost, and you know how it is with these books, it's all about the "romantic development". ;)
And this is when it gets better:
Anyway, so once Catherine does get some serious alone time with Imogene (around 42% onwards), that's when the book perks up by leaps and bounds, and never looks back. I've noticed that it is easier to nitpick what's wrong with a book but much harder to analyze what's right with it. You get caught up in it and just let it take you whichever way it wants and everything just flows and feels so natural and so right. That's what the second half of the book did to me. If I have to break it down, it'll be a combination of lots of things done right. The 'telling rather than showing' that plagued some of the earlier paragraphs all but disappeared. Imogene's characterization is another strong point. She's just awesome in every way--scared yet incredibly brave at the same time, daring and willing to take a chance, emotional but centered, strong yet incredibly vulnerable. She's the kind of character that I read lesfic for. Catherine is more stock and therefore predictable. The mythical ex, Linda. I wasn't expecting that. She could easily have been a caricature. Exes usually are just plot devices to drive a wedge between our leads. But this lady literally came alive. Even to the end, she was very human. Not very likable, but human nonetheless.
I seldom give sex in a romance book more attention than a cursory single-word review, because that's usually all the attention it deserves--good but not particularly memorable. But the sex scenes here are amazingly hot. I'd gushed about the erotic scenes in Cake but the ones here are even better. The eroticism is on par with Cake but the deep emotional connection the reader has with the characters makes it way better and more meaningful--truly an expression of love. As it should be.
The plot twists here (if you can even call them that) are such common tropes in lesfic they usually don't do much for me except make my eyes roll. But in this book, I loved what the author did. She even had the chutzpah to do it twice! And I think I even teared-up both times, lol. And to think that I consider myself a fairly jaded romance reader. But it was such delicious drama and angst. I'm trying to analyze what she did differently from other authors and I guess it comes down to how strongly she made me feel about the characters involved. I wanted to strangle Cat at one point, kick Linda in the ass every time, but mostly I wanted to hug Imogene and love her forever.
4 for the first 40%
5 for the last 60%
4.6 stars overall
P.S. Almost forgot to mention the blue connection. The whole psychic thing may sound hokey but it was actually quite well done. Makes you wonder....
June 11, 2018
Oh, Fortunate Sum.
This one was hard to rate, for it's certainly well-written and engaging, but it's not the story for me. It started out promising and somehow, about halfway through , I found myself disliking the main character, Catherine. I'm currently scrolling through the story to pinpoint what about her was so off-putting. It's not like I haven't loved my fair share of mess types.
Speaking of mess types, I actually liked what little we saw of Linda, the predatory ex. She was far from ideal or healthy for Cat. But, she was written attractively. I can see why Cat fell for her back in her college years. To that, I give a thumbs up to the M. Ullrich. However, Linda stumbling into the apartment, drunkenly throwing herself at Catherine was a push too much for me. I thought the initial rejection meant more when Cat turned down powerful, classy Linda. That's the wall she had to overcome. Then, when Linda proved that deep down, she was only a pitiful old flame thirsty to mark her territory, I was disappointed.
Imogene is a gorgeous sweetheart. I loved her quips, bright aura, and punchy personality, as well as her shop itself and the imagery surrounding her. Her gestures towards the relationship had more resonance than Catherine's...Catherineness.
The psychic bit was an interesting angle. I liked the clues in her visions as well as the conversations. However, I found the perspective of Sophia (the psychic) unnecessary. It revealed too much and I would've enjoyed that air of mystery, to give ambiguity to the readings. Instead, the story confirmed her abilities as real, which lessens tension. I appreciated the bits where Cat had to stop dwelling on Sophia's hints and go for what she believed in her heart.
Don't let my tastes take away from this high quality debut. Though, I must say that I only liked it overall.
This one was hard to rate, for it's certainly well-written and engaging, but it's not the story for me. It started out promising and somehow, about halfway through , I found myself disliking the main character, Catherine. I'm currently scrolling through the story to pinpoint what about her was so off-putting. It's not like I haven't loved my fair share of mess types.
Speaking of mess types, I actually liked what little we saw of Linda, the predatory ex. She was far from ideal or healthy for Cat. But, she was written attractively. I can see why Cat fell for her back in her college years. To that, I give a thumbs up to the M. Ullrich. However, Linda stumbling into the apartment, drunkenly throwing herself at Catherine was a push too much for me. I thought the initial rejection meant more when Cat turned down powerful, classy Linda. That's the wall she had to overcome. Then, when Linda proved that deep down, she was only a pitiful old flame thirsty to mark her territory, I was disappointed.
Imogene is a gorgeous sweetheart. I loved her quips, bright aura, and punchy personality, as well as her shop itself and the imagery surrounding her. Her gestures towards the relationship had more resonance than Catherine's...Catherineness.
The psychic bit was an interesting angle. I liked the clues in her visions as well as the conversations. However, I found the perspective of Sophia (the psychic) unnecessary. It revealed too much and I would've enjoyed that air of mystery, to give ambiguity to the readings. Instead, the story confirmed her abilities as real, which lessens tension. I appreciated the bits where Cat had to stop dwelling on Sophia's hints and go for what she believed in her heart.
Don't let my tastes take away from this high quality debut. Though, I must say that I only liked it overall.
June 14, 2016
I thought this was well done for a debut novel and in that sense I would have rated it 4 Stars. However, when it comes to my own personal enjoyment, I would have to stick to 3 Stars.
One of my biggest needs for enjoying a good book, is connecting to the characters. I can let small plot holes, predictability, and tropes not bother me if I love the characters. The problem with Fortunate Sum to me, was Catherine. I could not stand her. I found her to be a one-dimensional, cardboard cut-out, of a person. And what frustrated me so much is that I loved Imogene. I absolutely adore her as a character. It was like she was plucked from one of Melissa Brayden romances. And to see her having to be paired with, or should I say stuck with Catherine, seemed such a waste. Is it wrong to hope for a book 2, where Imogene comes to her senses, dumps Cat, and finds the love of her life?
Let me talk quickly about the positives. Well Imogene of course. The fact that a debut author could write such a great romance character, really impresses me. Another positive, the sex scenes were good and steamy. I've been stuck on a string of romances lately where the authors gloss over all the sex scenes, so this was a nice change. Finale positive, I liked the psychic. The way she was portrayed, the little clues, blue and 11 that she slipped into the story. She definitely was an enjoyable secondary character.
I could absolutely tell Ullrich has talent and promise for the future. Even thought I didn't love this, I won't hesitate to read possible upcoming books.
One of my biggest needs for enjoying a good book, is connecting to the characters. I can let small plot holes, predictability, and tropes not bother me if I love the characters. The problem with Fortunate Sum to me, was Catherine. I could not stand her. I found her to be a one-dimensional, cardboard cut-out, of a person. And what frustrated me so much is that I loved Imogene. I absolutely adore her as a character. It was like she was plucked from one of Melissa Brayden romances. And to see her having to be paired with, or should I say stuck with Catherine, seemed such a waste. Is it wrong to hope for a book 2, where Imogene comes to her senses, dumps Cat, and finds the love of her life?
Let me talk quickly about the positives. Well Imogene of course. The fact that a debut author could write such a great romance character, really impresses me. Another positive, the sex scenes were good and steamy. I've been stuck on a string of romances lately where the authors gloss over all the sex scenes, so this was a nice change. Finale positive, I liked the psychic. The way she was portrayed, the little clues, blue and 11 that she slipped into the story. She definitely was an enjoyable secondary character.
I could absolutely tell Ullrich has talent and promise for the future. Even thought I didn't love this, I won't hesitate to read possible upcoming books.
February 16, 2016
M. Ullrich has written one book. That one book is the Fortunate Sum. For this to be Ullrich’s first book, well that is just stunning. Stunning in the fact that this book is so very good, it was a fantastic read. My proverbial hat is off to you M. Ullrich (I would take a real hat off but I don’t wear them).
Catherine Carter is the epitome of all work and very little play. She has climbed the corporate ladder and her success has paid off career wise. She the youngest member and first female to make it to the top of her company, Maracati & Stevens. Dedication and drive fuel Catherine. Her life is her work. One the flip side she has very little personal life to speak of. She has goals mind you, to be married by 30, just a few months away, and to raise a family, but there are no prospects on the horizon. This all changes one evening when attending her best friend’s birthday party she is approached by a beautiful young woman and a psychic.
Imogene Harris is quirky, fun and successful in her own right. She has also suffered great losses in her life. The book begins as Imogene has just lost her grandfather, and guiding force in her life. Her grandfather mentored her, and took over the role of her father, after her dad was killed in the collapse of Tower Two on 9/11. Imogene relies heavily on her best friend, psychic, Sophia. Sophia comforts Imogene in her time of need, and talks her into going to a friend’s house for the upcoming party. This is where her life suddenly collides with Catherine Carter.
Both characters are chock-full of personality. They are relatable, interesting and have chemistry. Hallelujah! What makes it even better is these characters have flaws, perfect in many ways but deeply flawed in others, Catherine especially. I liked Catherine and Imogene tremendously, I liked them so much that when Catherine makes an epic mistake, total bonehead jackass move, I felt anger and disappointment in her. What’s great about that is that Ullrich made me feel an emotion towards this character, I was invested enough to actually care. That’s great writing y’all! My only point of contention with this book was I felt it needed another chapter or two finish it out. Overall fantastic read, by an author that is very talented. 4.5 stars.
Catherine Carter is the epitome of all work and very little play. She has climbed the corporate ladder and her success has paid off career wise. She the youngest member and first female to make it to the top of her company, Maracati & Stevens. Dedication and drive fuel Catherine. Her life is her work. One the flip side she has very little personal life to speak of. She has goals mind you, to be married by 30, just a few months away, and to raise a family, but there are no prospects on the horizon. This all changes one evening when attending her best friend’s birthday party she is approached by a beautiful young woman and a psychic.
Imogene Harris is quirky, fun and successful in her own right. She has also suffered great losses in her life. The book begins as Imogene has just lost her grandfather, and guiding force in her life. Her grandfather mentored her, and took over the role of her father, after her dad was killed in the collapse of Tower Two on 9/11. Imogene relies heavily on her best friend, psychic, Sophia. Sophia comforts Imogene in her time of need, and talks her into going to a friend’s house for the upcoming party. This is where her life suddenly collides with Catherine Carter.
Both characters are chock-full of personality. They are relatable, interesting and have chemistry. Hallelujah! What makes it even better is these characters have flaws, perfect in many ways but deeply flawed in others, Catherine especially. I liked Catherine and Imogene tremendously, I liked them so much that when Catherine makes an epic mistake, total bonehead jackass move, I felt anger and disappointment in her. What’s great about that is that Ullrich made me feel an emotion towards this character, I was invested enough to actually care. That’s great writing y’all! My only point of contention with this book was I felt it needed another chapter or two finish it out. Overall fantastic read, by an author that is very talented. 4.5 stars.
March 10, 2016
Oh my. Now that's how it's done. Big happy swoon worthy sighs here. Fortunate Sum has everything I look for in a lesbian romance novel. Fully developed characters with lives which feel real thanks to enough scenes and moments to bring their careers and personalities to life. Characters who meet badly but grow to like one another and make each other better.
Humour, unexpected connections, meddling friends and even a substantial and slightly evil ex-girlfriend to add a bit of drama into the happy couples hope for an HEA.
I may have rolled my eyes a bit at the unfortunate events which piled on the challenges for Catherine and Imogene near the end of the novel but the author pulled off a successful rescue.
I felt the epilogue was unnecessary but I still enjoyed it. I also thought the last line of the novel was the sweetest one I have read in a long time.
Impressive debut by an author I will add to my automatic read list.
4.5 stars
ARC received with thanks from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley
Humour, unexpected connections, meddling friends and even a substantial and slightly evil ex-girlfriend to add a bit of drama into the happy couples hope for an HEA.
I may have rolled my eyes a bit at the unfortunate events which piled on the challenges for Catherine and Imogene near the end of the novel but the author pulled off a successful rescue.
I felt the epilogue was unnecessary but I still enjoyed it. I also thought the last line of the novel was the sweetest one I have read in a long time.
Impressive debut by an author I will add to my automatic read list.
4.5 stars
ARC received with thanks from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley
February 28, 2021
Thuis book wasn’t bad but not good either. I found the story a little weak. Catherine, one of the main characters, who is nearly 30 years old, was very immature and spineless. She had an affair in college which ended badly but can’t leave that behind her. When she meets Imogene she makes a lot of bad choices because that don’t fit with her age. I also didn’t like that though she has a best friend in Alice, she never talked to Alice about her two year affair in college with a woman. Because Alice is observant she knows about the affair and is hurt because Catherine never told her. I don’t understand how they can be as close friends as they are when there is no trust from Catherine at all really. Then the problems between Catherine and Imogene, Catherine and Alice and Catherine and her parents are at the end of the book too easily resolved for my taste.
All in all I found the book ok, hence 3 stars.
I read this book again after seeing it mentioned in a review. I liked it better than the first time. Tough most of my criticism stil holds, I think I could have been a little less harsh about Catherine’s immaturity. The writing was good, the romance also, so now it has a 3.3 star feeling for me.
All in all I found the book ok, hence 3 stars.
I read this book again after seeing it mentioned in a review. I liked it better than the first time. Tough most of my criticism stil holds, I think I could have been a little less harsh about Catherine’s immaturity. The writing was good, the romance also, so now it has a 3.3 star feeling for me.
April 26, 2018
4.5 stars. This book captured my attention quickly. I deliberately stopped reading midway through the second chapter. I knew if I didn't stop then, I wouldn't get dinner started at a decent hour. I also wanted to read it, hopefully savor it without interruption. I wasn't disappointed. Though towards the end I was "yelling" at one of the characters - stop saying "I can explain" but not do it. The last couple of books I read were just ok - this book reminded me what a really good, well written book was like.
July 12, 2018
Fortunate Sum could have been a light, romantic comedy with a touch of supernatural. Yet it didn't come out that way, it's more a racing pulse romance, nice, but a little too serious in my opinion. A bit more humour could have helped.
It's very well written, though, I was captivated and the reading was flowing and pleasant.
In this story, the author made a brave, unusual choice.
One of the two main characters, Imogene, was just perfect. Sweet, beautiful and sexy (of course!), thoughtful, caring and a good mixture of strong and delicate.
But the other, Catherine, she was... let's say problematic.
To the point of being unpleasant.
For example, what does it mean ?
And what the author made her do, at a certain point, is on the brink of irreparable.
I have been angry with Catherine, as I think every single reader, because the author choosed so on purpose. And I think Catherine's role was the most leading, even more than Imogene's.
That reflects in many negative reviews I have read: "I cannot stand Catherine".
Could I?
Yes, I sided with her, at last. I really wanted her to be happy, eventually. But hey! it took me a while!
Unexpectedly, it bothered me more
So Catherine was in my opinion the originality and both the strong and the weak point of the novel. Yes the author was able to change my feeling for her. But I also disliked her for a good part of the book.
It's a good 4.5, rounded by defect.
(Hey, my first half point!)
It's very well written, though, I was captivated and the reading was flowing and pleasant.
In this story, the author made a brave, unusual choice.
One of the two main characters, Imogene, was just perfect. Sweet, beautiful and sexy (of course!), thoughtful, caring and a good mixture of strong and delicate.
But the other, Catherine, she was... let's say problematic.
To the point of being unpleasant.
For example, what does it mean ?
And what the author made her do, at a certain point, is on the brink of irreparable.
I have been angry with Catherine, as I think every single reader, because the author choosed so on purpose. And I think Catherine's role was the most leading, even more than Imogene's.
That reflects in many negative reviews I have read: "I cannot stand Catherine".
Could I?
Yes, I sided with her, at last. I really wanted her to be happy, eventually. But hey! it took me a while!
Unexpectedly, it bothered me more
So Catherine was in my opinion the originality and both the strong and the weak point of the novel. Yes the author was able to change my feeling for her. But I also disliked her for a good part of the book.
It's a good 4.5, rounded by defect.
(Hey, my first half point!)
April 3, 2016
Fortunate Sum was a great novel with great characters and great supporting characters.
The book started off a little slow for my liking, however it certainly picked up pace after a few chapters and the pages keep turning until the end. I personally thought the second half of the novel was much better than the first.
Cat’s character was a little cold and aloof, however she is a stickler for following the rules in both her personal and professional life as a successful financial advisor.
Imogene was a breath of fresh air and without her fun personality I’m sure my rating wouldn’t be as high as it is.
Alice, Dennis, Sophia and Chris were great supporting characters along with Vivian and Gladys.
One thing I did take away from the novel was the age old lesson of regret and not knowing what we’ve got until we lose/almost lose it.
All in all a great debut novel and I look forward to reading future work by this author.
4.5 stars
*ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley*
The book started off a little slow for my liking, however it certainly picked up pace after a few chapters and the pages keep turning until the end. I personally thought the second half of the novel was much better than the first.
Cat’s character was a little cold and aloof, however she is a stickler for following the rules in both her personal and professional life as a successful financial advisor.
Imogene was a breath of fresh air and without her fun personality I’m sure my rating wouldn’t be as high as it is.
Alice, Dennis, Sophia and Chris were great supporting characters along with Vivian and Gladys.
One thing I did take away from the novel was the age old lesson of regret and not knowing what we’ve got until we lose/almost lose it.
All in all a great debut novel and I look forward to reading future work by this author.
4.5 stars
*ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley*
March 4, 2017
I thought again of this book after reading Harper Bliss’ book “Release the Stars”, which I rated as 4*. I rated “Fortunate Sum” 3*, but this was before I began writing reviews, so I revisited the book to see if perhaps I was too harsh.
There is lots of similarity between the books MCs. Ava and Imogene are both very likable women who only see the good in people. Charlie and Catherine both start out as very self-centered, unlikable women.
The key difference for me, though, is that in “Release the Stars”, I really felt that Charlie had become a better person. Charlie shed her 100% lesbian rule, and I could envision a great future together for Charlie and Ava. Also, the book made me think quite a bit about Charlie, as reflected in my detailed review.
In “Fortunate Sum”, though, I never really felt that Catherine had turned a corner and was becoming a better person. In the end, Catherine seemed happiest at having met her goal of being in a relationship by age 30, rather than being in a relationship with Imogene. I finished the book hoping that things would turn out as well for Imogene in the future as she deserved, but doubting it.
As a first novel, “Fortunate Sum” is very very good, and perhaps I should rate it as a recommendation, i.e., 4*. But I think the two books deserve a point separation, and the first half of “Release the Stars” had me too frustrated with Charlie to rate “Release the Stars” as 5*.
So, I am clarifying my rankings as 3.5* for “Fortunate Sum”, and 4.5* for “Release the Stars”. I’m rounding “Fortunate Sum” up, to give credit to the author for this being a first novel, and because I do, upon reflection, recommend it. Although I actually liked it better, I’m rounding “Release the Stars” down to 4* because I’m not likely to read it again, which is a key criteria for being a 5* for me. So both books get a 4* on Goodreads, with a point separation in my rating….go figure.
There is lots of similarity between the books MCs. Ava and Imogene are both very likable women who only see the good in people. Charlie and Catherine both start out as very self-centered, unlikable women.
The key difference for me, though, is that in “Release the Stars”, I really felt that Charlie had become a better person. Charlie shed her 100% lesbian rule, and I could envision a great future together for Charlie and Ava. Also, the book made me think quite a bit about Charlie, as reflected in my detailed review.
In “Fortunate Sum”, though, I never really felt that Catherine had turned a corner and was becoming a better person. In the end, Catherine seemed happiest at having met her goal of being in a relationship by age 30, rather than being in a relationship with Imogene. I finished the book hoping that things would turn out as well for Imogene in the future as she deserved, but doubting it.
As a first novel, “Fortunate Sum” is very very good, and perhaps I should rate it as a recommendation, i.e., 4*. But I think the two books deserve a point separation, and the first half of “Release the Stars” had me too frustrated with Charlie to rate “Release the Stars” as 5*.
So, I am clarifying my rankings as 3.5* for “Fortunate Sum”, and 4.5* for “Release the Stars”. I’m rounding “Fortunate Sum” up, to give credit to the author for this being a first novel, and because I do, upon reflection, recommend it. Although I actually liked it better, I’m rounding “Release the Stars” down to 4* because I’m not likely to read it again, which is a key criteria for being a 5* for me. So both books get a 4* on Goodreads, with a point separation in my rating….go figure.
April 3, 2016
Great debut novel by M. Ullrich.
Catherine Carter is a lot of work and no play, she has worked her way to the top of her career at a very young age. As she approaches her 30th birthday she had hoped to be married and raising a family. While attending a birthday party she meets a psychic who has some interesting things to tell her about the importance of the colour blue in her life.
She also bumps into Imogene(I love Imogene), who is fun, interesting and has a successful business. Both women have things in their pasts which they are still working through when they meet.
These characters have great chemistry, the pacing of the story is very well done and the secondary characters really added to this story.
ARC received from publisher via NetGalley
Catherine Carter is a lot of work and no play, she has worked her way to the top of her career at a very young age. As she approaches her 30th birthday she had hoped to be married and raising a family. While attending a birthday party she meets a psychic who has some interesting things to tell her about the importance of the colour blue in her life.
She also bumps into Imogene(I love Imogene), who is fun, interesting and has a successful business. Both women have things in their pasts which they are still working through when they meet.
These characters have great chemistry, the pacing of the story is very well done and the secondary characters really added to this story.
ARC received from publisher via NetGalley
August 27, 2016
*I received this book from NetGalley in return for a fair review.*
My first book by this author.
A lesbian romance involving two women with ‘baggage’, damaged as they have been by life. Catherine was damaged by a bad relationship when she was in college, one so bad that she doesn’t want to date women any longer; while Imogene has been damaged by 9/11 (during which event her father died); damaged so badly that, among other things, she can’t ‘return to the city’.
Characters
This book follows two main characters (and occasionally hops over to another to see a scene neither would have been able to see).
Catherine Carter is a financial advisor who works in lower Manhattan in New York. Lives in Hoboken New Jersey. She is something like 4 months, give or take a few months, from turning 30. She had a list of things she wanted to do before she turned 30 and feels like she hasn’t fulfilled her self-imposed obligations. While she is very successful in her job, it isn’t one her father wanted her to do (which, apparently, is important). Father wanted her to be a lawyer. That fact that his two sons, older brothers of Catherine, joined him didn’t seem to lesson father’s disappointment.
Catherine is a work-a-holic but needs to be checking off those things left to check off. For the most part, all she has left to check off is ‘family’ or ‘a warm body to share her bed’ or something like that. So, she’s looking for a man.
Looking for a man? How can she be doing that, I can hear some lesfic readers asking (while others might be giddy with happiness/or groaning in despair). It’s a straight woman-lesbian woman romance? Well, no, not exactly. It’s a ‘woman was badly damaged from a relationship with a woman, and while she feels nothing for men, prefers to not have her heart further damaged so looks to men to find happiness’ type of story.
Connected to Catherine : Alice and Alice’s husband. Best friends of Catherine’s. Alice and her husband are friends with . . um, Will is it? Well, with Sophie’s husband. Sophie is best friends with Imogene.
Imogene Harris is a shop owner in Hoboken New Jersey. As she is the one described as having blue eyes, while the other woman is described as having dark eyes (two different colors are mentioned, if I recall correctly, both are basically brownish in color), I assume that she is the one on the cover of the book. There’s nothing about that half-head that I’d say couldn’t match up with Imogene.
Connected to Imogene Sophie the psychic and her husband. Vixen the cat.
Romance
Imogene and Catherine spend most of the book circling each other. With Imogene assuming Catherine is straight (well, she mentioned preferring men). While Catherine found Imogene quite . . . um . . . interesting.
There was a nice slow build up of their relationship occurring when things spiraled into ‘relationship troubles’ when a specific plot twist occurred. You’d think that a woman who doesn’t think she can be with a woman again, because she wants to protect her heart, mixed with a woman who thinks she might be falling for a straight woman, would be enough of a relationship burden, but no.
Sex
Yes, there is graphic sex that takes place in this book. I made comment once about how I keep reading these types of scenes while on trains. Well, for once that didn’t occur. It was interesting and likable sex. As I tend to say, that’s all I’m going to say on the subject.
Plot
Through a friend of a friend, Imogene Harris is hooked up with Catherine Carter. No, not on a blind date or the like, but as a financial advisor. The book, see, opens with Imogene having this inheritance that she ‘needs to take care of’ from her grandfather. And, through a network of friends, she is advised to contact Catherine Carter – a high rising financial advisor in New York city.
I’m not sure if it is supposed to be a coincidence or not that Catherine and Imogene happen to live something like three blocks from each other (okay, probably not that close, but it seems that way when their movements are described). Considering how the two were matched up, it probably isn’t a coincidence. I mean, it was a friend of a friend type deal. Friends who all happen to live in Hoboken. On the other hand, Catherine works in New York, and it is quite easy to see her being friends with someone who also works in New York, but lives in New Jersey. So *shrugs*, let’s just leave it as everyone happens to live in the same city in New Jersey.
Right, so, Catherine and Imogene meet at a party for Catherine’s friend – a birthday party. During which the entertainer happens to be a psychic. This is important on several levels. Firstly – Catherine, while talking to a stranger at said part, both of whom appear to be getting on quite well, makes some kind of comment or another indicating that psychics are stupid. Or something like that. The psychic, seemingly right then and there, calls her assistant to stand up to help her. That assistant being Imogene. So, Imogene and Catherine meet bad. Well, good, then foot-in-mouth bad. Secondly – the psychic is Sophie, Imogene’s best friend. Thirdly, despite believing that it would be a bad idea, Catherine can’t seem to stop herself from relatively continuously dropping in on Sophie the psychic for some psychic help.
So, Catherine helps Imogene with her finances. While also looking for ‘her man’, and being guided by the tiny drops dripped from the psychic (blue; 11; etc). Imogene, meanwhile, is finding herself getting more and more intrigued by this Catherine.
Then . . . plot twist! Someone from the past turns up. And twists the plot, and stuff.
Setting/Location
The story takes place in Hoboken New Jersey and lower Manhattan New York. For the most part, the stuff that occurs in NY could have occurred in any high rise (at least in terms of descriptions given). I’ve no clue if the Hoboken described in the book corresponds to the one in real life, but I did get a good sense that I was in a city, bouncing around during a snow storm between apartments, and a store.
Overall
There are certain things that kind of are off-putting to me. Things that I don’t want to read. Teacher/student relationships (depending on all parties involved, including age and like, I’m not deeply opposed to the idea, just . . . not while the student is a current student of the teacher); and cheating. There’s a flare of both in this story. Yay?
Up to about 62%, or thereabouts, I was considering what I had read up to that point. How I was reacting to it, how good or bad it was and came to the conclusion that I really really enjoyed everything. A well written story with well characterized people (mostly Imogene and Catherine). Then a plot twist occurred. The kind that deeply annoyed me. Well, potentially could have. It’s the type of plot twist I’ve seen before (oddly, or not, the last time I saw this specific plot twist, I think, was in another book that included teacher/student relations).
The book started off with me rather liking Catherine, and, to a certain extent, less liking Imogene. Not disliking, just that she hadn’t ‘grown’ on me. Then, somewhere along the way, I came to really like Imogene and . . . kind of dislike Catherine. But, meh, that’s life.
By the end of the book, I could say that I liked the characters but not really the story. For the most part. Except even at the end Catherine irritated me. “It feels good to have something they don’t” she says at one point, immediately followed by “They don’t know what it’s like to truly be in love.” Seriously? What kind of bitch is she? She ‘feels good’ that her brothers don’t know what it’s like to ‘truly be in love’? Really? WTF? What the fuck did the brothers do to her that she feels easy to make such a comment? To be glad that they don’t have true love? That annoys me.
Regardless, I grew to feel I knew both women, Imogene and Catherine, and mostly liked both of them. Giving the side eye, as I do, to Catherine, listing her on a ‘tentatively like’ list.
February 8 2016
My first book by this author.
A lesbian romance involving two women with ‘baggage’, damaged as they have been by life. Catherine was damaged by a bad relationship when she was in college, one so bad that she doesn’t want to date women any longer; while Imogene has been damaged by 9/11 (during which event her father died); damaged so badly that, among other things, she can’t ‘return to the city’.
Characters
This book follows two main characters (and occasionally hops over to another to see a scene neither would have been able to see).
Catherine Carter is a financial advisor who works in lower Manhattan in New York. Lives in Hoboken New Jersey. She is something like 4 months, give or take a few months, from turning 30. She had a list of things she wanted to do before she turned 30 and feels like she hasn’t fulfilled her self-imposed obligations. While she is very successful in her job, it isn’t one her father wanted her to do (which, apparently, is important). Father wanted her to be a lawyer. That fact that his two sons, older brothers of Catherine, joined him didn’t seem to lesson father’s disappointment.
Catherine is a work-a-holic but needs to be checking off those things left to check off. For the most part, all she has left to check off is ‘family’ or ‘a warm body to share her bed’ or something like that. So, she’s looking for a man.
Looking for a man? How can she be doing that, I can hear some lesfic readers asking (while others might be giddy with happiness/or groaning in despair). It’s a straight woman-lesbian woman romance? Well, no, not exactly. It’s a ‘woman was badly damaged from a relationship with a woman, and while she feels nothing for men, prefers to not have her heart further damaged so looks to men to find happiness’ type of story.
Connected to Catherine : Alice and Alice’s husband. Best friends of Catherine’s. Alice and her husband are friends with . . um, Will is it? Well, with Sophie’s husband. Sophie is best friends with Imogene.
Imogene Harris is a shop owner in Hoboken New Jersey. As she is the one described as having blue eyes, while the other woman is described as having dark eyes (two different colors are mentioned, if I recall correctly, both are basically brownish in color), I assume that she is the one on the cover of the book. There’s nothing about that half-head that I’d say couldn’t match up with Imogene.
Connected to Imogene Sophie the psychic and her husband. Vixen the cat.
Romance
Imogene and Catherine spend most of the book circling each other. With Imogene assuming Catherine is straight (well, she mentioned preferring men). While Catherine found Imogene quite . . . um . . . interesting.
There was a nice slow build up of their relationship occurring when things spiraled into ‘relationship troubles’ when a specific plot twist occurred. You’d think that a woman who doesn’t think she can be with a woman again, because she wants to protect her heart, mixed with a woman who thinks she might be falling for a straight woman, would be enough of a relationship burden, but no.
Sex
Yes, there is graphic sex that takes place in this book. I made comment once about how I keep reading these types of scenes while on trains. Well, for once that didn’t occur. It was interesting and likable sex. As I tend to say, that’s all I’m going to say on the subject.
Plot
Through a friend of a friend, Imogene Harris is hooked up with Catherine Carter. No, not on a blind date or the like, but as a financial advisor. The book, see, opens with Imogene having this inheritance that she ‘needs to take care of’ from her grandfather. And, through a network of friends, she is advised to contact Catherine Carter – a high rising financial advisor in New York city.
I’m not sure if it is supposed to be a coincidence or not that Catherine and Imogene happen to live something like three blocks from each other (okay, probably not that close, but it seems that way when their movements are described). Considering how the two were matched up, it probably isn’t a coincidence. I mean, it was a friend of a friend type deal. Friends who all happen to live in Hoboken. On the other hand, Catherine works in New York, and it is quite easy to see her being friends with someone who also works in New York, but lives in New Jersey. So *shrugs*, let’s just leave it as everyone happens to live in the same city in New Jersey.
Right, so, Catherine and Imogene meet at a party for Catherine’s friend – a birthday party. During which the entertainer happens to be a psychic. This is important on several levels. Firstly – Catherine, while talking to a stranger at said part, both of whom appear to be getting on quite well, makes some kind of comment or another indicating that psychics are stupid. Or something like that. The psychic, seemingly right then and there, calls her assistant to stand up to help her. That assistant being Imogene. So, Imogene and Catherine meet bad. Well, good, then foot-in-mouth bad. Secondly – the psychic is Sophie, Imogene’s best friend. Thirdly, despite believing that it would be a bad idea, Catherine can’t seem to stop herself from relatively continuously dropping in on Sophie the psychic for some psychic help.
So, Catherine helps Imogene with her finances. While also looking for ‘her man’, and being guided by the tiny drops dripped from the psychic (blue; 11; etc). Imogene, meanwhile, is finding herself getting more and more intrigued by this Catherine.
Then . . . plot twist! Someone from the past turns up. And twists the plot, and stuff.
Setting/Location
The story takes place in Hoboken New Jersey and lower Manhattan New York. For the most part, the stuff that occurs in NY could have occurred in any high rise (at least in terms of descriptions given). I’ve no clue if the Hoboken described in the book corresponds to the one in real life, but I did get a good sense that I was in a city, bouncing around during a snow storm between apartments, and a store.
Overall
There are certain things that kind of are off-putting to me. Things that I don’t want to read. Teacher/student relationships (depending on all parties involved, including age and like, I’m not deeply opposed to the idea, just . . . not while the student is a current student of the teacher); and cheating. There’s a flare of both in this story. Yay?
Up to about 62%, or thereabouts, I was considering what I had read up to that point. How I was reacting to it, how good or bad it was and came to the conclusion that I really really enjoyed everything. A well written story with well characterized people (mostly Imogene and Catherine). Then a plot twist occurred. The kind that deeply annoyed me. Well, potentially could have. It’s the type of plot twist I’ve seen before (oddly, or not, the last time I saw this specific plot twist, I think, was in another book that included teacher/student relations).
The book started off with me rather liking Catherine, and, to a certain extent, less liking Imogene. Not disliking, just that she hadn’t ‘grown’ on me. Then, somewhere along the way, I came to really like Imogene and . . . kind of dislike Catherine. But, meh, that’s life.
By the end of the book, I could say that I liked the characters but not really the story. For the most part. Except even at the end Catherine irritated me. “It feels good to have something they don’t” she says at one point, immediately followed by “They don’t know what it’s like to truly be in love.” Seriously? What kind of bitch is she? She ‘feels good’ that her brothers don’t know what it’s like to ‘truly be in love’? Really? WTF? What the fuck did the brothers do to her that she feels easy to make such a comment? To be glad that they don’t have true love? That annoys me.
Regardless, I grew to feel I knew both women, Imogene and Catherine, and mostly liked both of them. Giving the side eye, as I do, to Catherine, listing her on a ‘tentatively like’ list.
February 8 2016
November 21, 2017
I couldn't decide between 4 and 5 stars. But this is a debut novel, so I rounded up. I loved Imogene, and grew to appreciate Catherine. The cast of characters was unique and entertaining. An all around good book, and one I will re-read.
February 12, 2017
Great Debut Novel by M. Ullrich... Plus my favourite colour is blue.
Authors Synopsis
Catherine Carter earned her spot as one of New York’s top financial advisors by following the rules and reaching her every goal. The same applies to Catherine’s personal life. Her next self-imposed deadline is looming, and all that’s left to do is to meet the perfect man.
At her friend’s urging, skeptical Catherine meets with a psychic who tells her to look for the color blue, and that’s when life spirals from her control.
Prospective client, quirky Imogene Harris, is reluctant to hire anyone to help with her inheritance, but when she sees what’s being offered, she has a change of heart.
Catherine denies her attraction to Imogene. Imogene is falling for the woman behind the numbers. Not even a rocky start, secret past, or misinterpreted predictions can stop the women from being drawn to one another. Together they learn that perhaps blue isn’t the color of sadness after all…
My Synopsis
Catherine Carter is a Control Freak, that is in all aspects of her life, work and romance included. She knows what she wants and how she needs to get it. Catherine is a excelling in her field of financial advising and she loves her job.
Enter Imogene. Imogene is introduced to Catherine through mutual friends to help her manage her inheritance. Imogene is a quirky and almost bohemian retail shop owner in the fashion industry.
Catherine starts visiting a Psychic and everything she is told points her in the direction of romance with Imogene but Catherine can’t see this or at least choose's not to.
When both start to realize their attraction to one another a old and unwanted disruption almost ends it all…
My Review
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. When I read the synopsis on Amazon I thought this book is definitely one for me. I love the idea of having Psychic to lead me through difficult times in my life and was a intrigued by the whole concept the M. Ullrich was able to create in the book. I thought the sex scenes were off the chart and i really enjoyed them.
I liked the sub plot about the college professor, Linda who gave Catherine her first sexual awakening. And I could feel the tension falling from the page when Catherine entered the conference room to find her meeting is with Linda.
All in all I really enjoyed this novel. I could feel what the characters where feeling through the way M. Ullrich explained it with her powerful descriptions. I am anxious to see what comes next from M. Ullrich with such a great first novel.
5 Stars
https://lesreveur.com/2016/08/30/fort...
Authors Synopsis
Catherine Carter earned her spot as one of New York’s top financial advisors by following the rules and reaching her every goal. The same applies to Catherine’s personal life. Her next self-imposed deadline is looming, and all that’s left to do is to meet the perfect man.
At her friend’s urging, skeptical Catherine meets with a psychic who tells her to look for the color blue, and that’s when life spirals from her control.
Prospective client, quirky Imogene Harris, is reluctant to hire anyone to help with her inheritance, but when she sees what’s being offered, she has a change of heart.
Catherine denies her attraction to Imogene. Imogene is falling for the woman behind the numbers. Not even a rocky start, secret past, or misinterpreted predictions can stop the women from being drawn to one another. Together they learn that perhaps blue isn’t the color of sadness after all…
My Synopsis
Catherine Carter is a Control Freak, that is in all aspects of her life, work and romance included. She knows what she wants and how she needs to get it. Catherine is a excelling in her field of financial advising and she loves her job.
Enter Imogene. Imogene is introduced to Catherine through mutual friends to help her manage her inheritance. Imogene is a quirky and almost bohemian retail shop owner in the fashion industry.
Catherine starts visiting a Psychic and everything she is told points her in the direction of romance with Imogene but Catherine can’t see this or at least choose's not to.
When both start to realize their attraction to one another a old and unwanted disruption almost ends it all…
My Review
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. When I read the synopsis on Amazon I thought this book is definitely one for me. I love the idea of having Psychic to lead me through difficult times in my life and was a intrigued by the whole concept the M. Ullrich was able to create in the book. I thought the sex scenes were off the chart and i really enjoyed them.
I liked the sub plot about the college professor, Linda who gave Catherine her first sexual awakening. And I could feel the tension falling from the page when Catherine entered the conference room to find her meeting is with Linda.
All in all I really enjoyed this novel. I could feel what the characters where feeling through the way M. Ullrich explained it with her powerful descriptions. I am anxious to see what comes next from M. Ullrich with such a great first novel.
5 Stars
https://lesreveur.com/2016/08/30/fort...
November 14, 2017
This was so good.. until it wasn't!
How is it possible to read 92% of a book and think it's great and then read the next page and become utterly disappointed?
First off the bat is Imogene Harris, a boutique owner who seems a very sweet, loving person in general and I found myself really liking her. I even loved how strong her character was when she confronted Catherine about her ex and stood her ground, because she deserves better. But then she must have ran into some kind of magic because *poof* her entire spine disappeared around the 93% mark.
Then there's Catherine. I wouldn't go so far as to say that I hate this character but let's just say I wouldn't mind stuffing her in a crate and shipping her off to Siberia. I kept hoping throughout the book that she would be redeemed and for a moment I thought it would happen when she let go of the ridiculous notion that her boring colleague Richard was more suited for her than Imogene simply because he's a man. Unfortunately she never felt redeemed and the book ended with me liking her even less.
So why the rating? Well the story is very captivating, it has great pacing and the chemistry between the two mains worked well enough. It's just that last part of the final chapter before the epilogue that ruined everything. I just can't get over how incredibly weak Imogene was written and it really ruined the story and the epilogue for me.
This ends up with a 3,5* rating and was only rounded up because of the potential the story had.
How is it possible to read 92% of a book and think it's great and then read the next page and become utterly disappointed?
First off the bat is Imogene Harris, a boutique owner who seems a very sweet, loving person in general and I found myself really liking her. I even loved how strong her character was when she confronted Catherine about her ex and stood her ground, because she deserves better. But then she must have ran into some kind of magic because *poof* her entire spine disappeared around the 93% mark.
Then there's Catherine. I wouldn't go so far as to say that I hate this character but let's just say I wouldn't mind stuffing her in a crate and shipping her off to Siberia. I kept hoping throughout the book that she would be redeemed and for a moment I thought it would happen when she let go of the ridiculous notion that her boring colleague Richard was more suited for her than Imogene simply because he's a man. Unfortunately she never felt redeemed and the book ended with me liking her even less.
So why the rating? Well the story is very captivating, it has great pacing and the chemistry between the two mains worked well enough. It's just that last part of the final chapter before the epilogue that ruined everything. I just can't get over how incredibly weak Imogene was written and it really ruined the story and the epilogue for me.
This ends up with a 3,5* rating and was only rounded up because of the potential the story had.
August 26, 2017
Fortunate Sum is a great read that I’m glad I checked it out (I do so love my thawing ice queens!). Between the characters, plot, and unique premise, there’s a lot to like about it and I’m excited to read more from M. Ullrich.
Full review: http://www.thelesbianreview.com/fortu...
Full review: http://www.thelesbianreview.com/fortu...
January 20, 2020
This is nearly everything I dislike - sniddy ex, paranormal, me shouting "Why don't you just SAY IT!!!!" but somehow the parts made a really good story which had me really wanting for the Main characters. Hats off to M Ullrich - I'll be looking for more.
July 9, 2016
I really don't like giving negative reviews (makes me itchy), but I do know what I like, and don't like, in the books I read, and as this is a review site I'm trying to do my best to be honest in everything I rate.
I'm afraid I didn't really enjoy this book. It didn't work for me on any particular level. Though not nearly as badly written - or dull - as some books I've had the misfortune to read in the past, I just feel this book needed a lot more work to make a positive impact on me. For some reason it came across like a rough draft that needed polishing up, or fleshing out, or something. There were no typos I can recall, or obvious mistakes within the text, but the book just had an amateurish feel to it.
I won't go into too much detail about what just didn't work for me, but I did notice a particular, consistent problem with telling instead of showing, to the degree I didn't feel I knew the characters any better at the end of the book than I did at the beginning. I couldn't get invested in them, or their relationship to one another, and I'm afraid I just didn't like Catherine very much at all. She was an odd mix of contradictions and inconsistency that wasn't well explained or developed. I understand that she was horribly stuck in a past relationship 'trauma', but I just wanted to roll my eyes at her and tell her to man up, as it really - as far as break-ups go - wasn't something a grown woman should have been carrying around with her so desperately for so long (in my opinion). I just didn't get it, or 'get' her, or the reason Imogene was interested at all. A lack of showing us why (instead telling us), and very little chemistry didn't help, considering it's a romance novel.
The book wasn't a total loss, and for a first novel it had an interesting premise. I see by other reviews that I'm in the minority in my rating, but we all look for slightly different things in what we read I guess. After reading so many novels in this genre, it just didn't leave an impact on me, and perhaps was over priced; in a price range better suited to some of the more consistent, established authors deserving of the higher price. Unfortunate. Sorry.
I'm afraid I didn't really enjoy this book. It didn't work for me on any particular level. Though not nearly as badly written - or dull - as some books I've had the misfortune to read in the past, I just feel this book needed a lot more work to make a positive impact on me. For some reason it came across like a rough draft that needed polishing up, or fleshing out, or something. There were no typos I can recall, or obvious mistakes within the text, but the book just had an amateurish feel to it.
I won't go into too much detail about what just didn't work for me, but I did notice a particular, consistent problem with telling instead of showing, to the degree I didn't feel I knew the characters any better at the end of the book than I did at the beginning. I couldn't get invested in them, or their relationship to one another, and I'm afraid I just didn't like Catherine very much at all. She was an odd mix of contradictions and inconsistency that wasn't well explained or developed. I understand that she was horribly stuck in a past relationship 'trauma', but I just wanted to roll my eyes at her and tell her to man up, as it really - as far as break-ups go - wasn't something a grown woman should have been carrying around with her so desperately for so long (in my opinion). I just didn't get it, or 'get' her, or the reason Imogene was interested at all. A lack of showing us why (instead telling us), and very little chemistry didn't help, considering it's a romance novel.
The book wasn't a total loss, and for a first novel it had an interesting premise. I see by other reviews that I'm in the minority in my rating, but we all look for slightly different things in what we read I guess. After reading so many novels in this genre, it just didn't leave an impact on me, and perhaps was over priced; in a price range better suited to some of the more consistent, established authors deserving of the higher price. Unfortunate. Sorry.
February 8, 2016
I have mixed feelings about this book. I started off enjoying it but found by about halfway through I just wasn't connecting with the characters. Especially Catherine, she was selfish and just started to really annoy me as the book went on. And what didn't help was the story line was ok but not good enough to make up for the fact that I wasn't liking the characters.
What I did like is that I thought the story did move fairly quickly and did provide a gradual build up for the romance to development. I did find myself more involved when the ex came back but had myself disliking Catherine even more! I could go on but it is hard without giving away the story, so I will stop!
All in all the book was average for me. It's hard to know if I would recommend it because I think this book would go either way for a reader.
This was given to me by NetGalley for an honest review.
What I did like is that I thought the story did move fairly quickly and did provide a gradual build up for the romance to development. I did find myself more involved when the ex came back but had myself disliking Catherine even more! I could go on but it is hard without giving away the story, so I will stop!
All in all the book was average for me. It's hard to know if I would recommend it because I think this book would go either way for a reader.
This was given to me by NetGalley for an honest review.
March 12, 2016
Detailed score: 2.75 + .5 'debut book' bonus.
Third person narrative is quickly replacing single-view first person narrative as my least favourite narrative structure for lesroms. When books are written in this style, it has to be absolutely brilliant for me to be able to escape the feeling of being 'outside' the characters - that I am watching them like I would a footy game or a horse race. Unfortunately, I never really connected with the leads in this book. I felt little more than mild interest apart from, perhaps, a couple of the steamier points .
This sense of watching made other irritants, which I may otherwise have ignored, stand out. For example - I know some will love it but I found some of the language OTT on the mush factor .
I guess, overall, I found the language surrounding our characters 'heavy'. I found myself speaking to the author in my head kinda going 'why have you put so many words in here'. [And yes, Rookie Blue fans, I am thinking of Gail's infamous 'you just had to stop talking' line as I write that... ;) ]
Having said all that, there is a nice, vanilla, engaging, steamy in places story in there. I notice that there have been some of the rave reviews come out about this book and I can see how this is the case - there is a sweet story at the heart of this book and I can see how those that found the style less impenetrable than I did could bask in that.
Overall: I didn't love it but I wouldn't have regretted paying for it either (I was lucky enough to receive an ARC). A solid debut with strong potential.
Third person narrative is quickly replacing single-view first person narrative as my least favourite narrative structure for lesroms. When books are written in this style, it has to be absolutely brilliant for me to be able to escape the feeling of being 'outside' the characters - that I am watching them like I would a footy game or a horse race. Unfortunately, I never really connected with the leads in this book. I felt little more than mild interest apart from, perhaps, a couple of the steamier points .
This sense of watching made other irritants, which I may otherwise have ignored, stand out. For example - I know some will love it but I found some of the language OTT on the mush factor .
I guess, overall, I found the language surrounding our characters 'heavy'. I found myself speaking to the author in my head kinda going 'why have you put so many words in here'. [And yes, Rookie Blue fans, I am thinking of Gail's infamous 'you just had to stop talking' line as I write that... ;) ]
Having said all that, there is a nice, vanilla, engaging, steamy in places story in there. I notice that there have been some of the rave reviews come out about this book and I can see how this is the case - there is a sweet story at the heart of this book and I can see how those that found the style less impenetrable than I did could bask in that.
Overall: I didn't love it but I wouldn't have regretted paying for it either (I was lucky enough to receive an ARC). A solid debut with strong potential.
March 1, 2016
3.5 stars.
This is the first book from Ulrich, who has the makings of a romance author to look out for.
Catherine Carter is a well-respected financial adviser to companies both large and small. The determination and discipline in her work life has leeched into her personal life after her first love in college crashed and burned. Asked to provide financial advice to a friend of a friend, Catherine finds herself deeply attracted to a woman, for the first time in over a decade.
Imogene Harris, with a recent inheritance and resistant to advice about her business, feels the same attraction. Complicating the situation are their two best friends, a psychic, and Catherine’s heartfelt damage from her past.
The two main characters are great. Catherine likes structure and is suitably damaged by her past, and Imogene is effervescent and fun, but not prepared to put up with crap. The two opposing personalities work well to bring tension to the story, and yet are compatible enough to work. The plot also works well. There are enough obstacles to make it interesting, the pacing works well, and there is enough detail and time for the change in the characters to be believable.
What doesn’t work quite so well is the dialogue, and sometimes there are just too many words for the scene and it feels a bit bogged. I see these as first book problems, which the author will no doubt resolve as she keeps writing. It certainly didn’t put me off the book, as the guts of it works really well.
I think Ulrich will be an author to watch out for in future.
Advanced reading copy provided by NetGallery for an honest review.
This is the first book from Ulrich, who has the makings of a romance author to look out for.
Catherine Carter is a well-respected financial adviser to companies both large and small. The determination and discipline in her work life has leeched into her personal life after her first love in college crashed and burned. Asked to provide financial advice to a friend of a friend, Catherine finds herself deeply attracted to a woman, for the first time in over a decade.
Imogene Harris, with a recent inheritance and resistant to advice about her business, feels the same attraction. Complicating the situation are their two best friends, a psychic, and Catherine’s heartfelt damage from her past.
The two main characters are great. Catherine likes structure and is suitably damaged by her past, and Imogene is effervescent and fun, but not prepared to put up with crap. The two opposing personalities work well to bring tension to the story, and yet are compatible enough to work. The plot also works well. There are enough obstacles to make it interesting, the pacing works well, and there is enough detail and time for the change in the characters to be believable.
What doesn’t work quite so well is the dialogue, and sometimes there are just too many words for the scene and it feels a bit bogged. I see these as first book problems, which the author will no doubt resolve as she keeps writing. It certainly didn’t put me off the book, as the guts of it works really well.
I think Ulrich will be an author to watch out for in future.
Advanced reading copy provided by NetGallery for an honest review.
March 14, 2016
For a debut novel Ullrich did an amazing job. I did not put it down once I started reading. I always struggle with what to say on books I really enjoyed. I rarely allow myself to stay up all night to finish a novel, yet that is what I did with this one. I was given a copy of this book from NetGalley for an honest review, but plan on ordering the paperback to go on the bookshelf. I really enjoyed the characters. Imogene was such a neat character and the entire time I told myself I could read a dozen books with her as a character. With Imogene being so great, Cat was not my favorite character but she eventually grew on me. It took the entire book before I had decided that she was okay. This is exactly the type of book I could read over and over again. I would have gotten around to reading this book eventually, but I am so happy to have read it early. I am really excited, as I hope to read many more great reads from Ullrich. Well done!
May 20, 2016
Picked up this book with 0 expectations and I was in for a nice surprise from the beginning :) it's such a nicely written book a perfect read if you are on the beach (which Is my spot as we speak) ..
I liked both characters a lot. At the beginning this psychic blue thing was a bit weird but then it grew on me and I liked how it was subtly a part of the book. I felt the connection between both characters!
Interestingly enough, I really liked how Linda was thrown in the storyline! The character was very interesting and I was caught saying "that bitch" quite a lot of times.
Overall this is a 4.5 rating for me. Had it been for the "Richard" part which I really found completely irrelevant to the story I wouldve given it a solid 5. I mean the writer wanted to position Cat as if she's a confused straight person but all along it was very clear that she was 100% gay. I just didn't see what "Richard" added to the story!
I liked both characters a lot. At the beginning this psychic blue thing was a bit weird but then it grew on me and I liked how it was subtly a part of the book. I felt the connection between both characters!
Interestingly enough, I really liked how Linda was thrown in the storyline! The character was very interesting and I was caught saying "that bitch" quite a lot of times.
Overall this is a 4.5 rating for me. Had it been for the "Richard" part which I really found completely irrelevant to the story I wouldve given it a solid 5. I mean the writer wanted to position Cat as if she's a confused straight person but all along it was very clear that she was 100% gay. I just didn't see what "Richard" added to the story!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 9, 2016
I really enjoyed this novel but I thought I was going to hate it at first. From the first few chapters you would think that this book would be formulaic and silly. There’s even a psychic!!! But it was a wonderful surprise. The main characters are likeable and the relationship between them grows at a normal and decent pace for a short novel. What else do you need in a romance novel? :)
I was surprised to find out this is a debut novel since it doesn’t feel like an author’s first work. The pacing is just right, the dialog is credible and the story somewhat plausible (well, there is a psychic in the story after all).
Looking forward to the author's next novel.
I was surprised to find out this is a debut novel since it doesn’t feel like an author’s first work. The pacing is just right, the dialog is credible and the story somewhat plausible (well, there is a psychic in the story after all).
Looking forward to the author's next novel.
February 29, 2016
I'm just gonna say this one had me talking out loud to myself because I wanted to slap Catherine and give a swift kick to you know what :). Then I felt sorry for her because she could not catch a break if her life depended on it and well luck Imogene was there to catch her.
Arc given by NetGalley for a honest review.
Arc given by NetGalley for a honest review.
March 23, 2016
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Really entertaining and better than I expected. I specially loved all that psychic stuff.
November 6, 2017
I liked this quite a bit. It's well written and well paced. Catherine is maybe not my favorite character ever, and I wish the resolution had been given the time it deserved, but otherwise this was very enjoyable.
February 7, 2016
This is an honest review thanks to NetGalley. I really loved this book, the chemistry and story between the two leads was amazing. I really wanted to give this book a five writing but how Cat handled her ex coming back into her life turned me around, if the book didn't end the way it did and Cat realizing what a huge mistake she made. The story was great though and the secondary characters were amazing as well. Reading about how the past of these two women shaped their lives and they found each other, the love of their lives was beautiful. I really liked this author and I can't wait to read more of her work.
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