You Give Good Love

by J.J. Murray

It’s been eight years since Hope Warren had her heart broken on Christmas Eve, but she still detests the holiday, and celebrations in general. Wasting her time, and her art degree, at a job she clearly hates, the only thing she’s longing for is a dream home way out of reach. So when outgoing Irishman Dylan Healy keeps getting in her face, she’s sure there’s a catch. He’s kind, charismatic—and challenging her idle creativity. It may be her least favorite time of year, but suddenly she’s willing to try everything and anything—especially Dylan himself.
 
Dylan has enough on his plate between launching his online greeting card company at the height of the season and starting an art-themed daycare center. But he can’t resist teasing Hope out of her holiday cynicism, turning her ideas into crazy profits—or wanting more of the vibrant, sensual woman she truly is. And with the days counting down to Christmas Eve, he’s willing to put everything on the line to convince her that what they have is the gift of a lifetime…

Genres: Romance, Interracial Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance

449 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Prolific novelist J. J. Murray writes BWWM romance novels in all genres. He lives with his amazing, talented, and creative wife Kimberlee and their precocious son Steven in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Reviews

[Layeshia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a quirky love story! And I loved it!! Please don't sleep on this book it was great! It was wonderful to see attraction develop between these two characters. It was wonderful to see friendship turn to love and devotion. They each needed something and that something existed in the other person. On a personal note I love the west Indian colloquialisms that was used throughout the book it reminded me of my youth in NYC. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to you.

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg, so good!

Hope and Dylan both had their own issues, Hope had more, but they found love, happiness and peace. I'm really at a loss for words, this book touched my heart so much and pulled so many emotions out of me. I cried, laughed, and then it took my breath away. Such a good book, I will have to re-read it during the holidays!

[Susan Scribner · Rating 2 out of 5]

So the cure for anorexia and clinical depression is to find yourself a good man. Who knew? Although I guess if the man is as perfect (and unrealistic) as the one in this book, it could happen. Despite the fact that he was supposedly from a broken home, the hero in this book is kind, gentle, giving, patient, loving, and of course handsome (in fact, he looks nothing like the guy on the book cover, but that's not the author's fault). He has no rough edges or flaws. The coup de gras - his ex-girlfriend broke up with him because he spent too much time with a terminally ill child!

I'm all in favor of multi-cultural romances, but this one was just too silly (and for anorexia and depression sufferers, just a bit offensive) to take seriously.

[Jasmine · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book took me so long to finish which is just odd. I just couldn't get into the story at all. The writing style I found interesting, unlike the plot. This book is written in third person but we get to know a lot of the protagonist's thoughts which was a nice touch.

Aside from that nothing really stood out to me. I found the prose so cheesy I was physically grimacing quite often. I found Dylan completely unrealistic. His personality was cloying and odd.

I like books that are a little more realistic, and a good deal less fluffy and cheesy.

[LynnyFromtheBlock · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wouldn't have read this without a recommendation from a family member. It's fine...ya know? I could finish. I wouldn't reread. I don't think it's bad, but I have concerns about how her anorexia was so bad she was less than 100lbs (I think? I don't remember fully) and then love saved her. But like...idk get therapy? Or was the anorexia because she was poor? But she wasn't? Since it was such a big part of the story I would have hoped that they would have done more.

Also. Dylan. Life sounds awful, but author kinda breezes over it. Everyone's hard is hard. But Dylan's seemed much worse than Hopes.

I've changed my mind and lowered the rating as I thought through my issues with this book.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

The internal monologue of the main character was TOO much. It stopped th eflow of the story and I could not get into it. :( DNF

[SassafrasfromAmazon · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️ ORIGINALLY REVIEWED ON JANUARY 1, 2014 Mr. Murray is what I would term one of those "cerebral" authors, with a touch of humor sometimes or even with sarcastic-thinking characters. No matter what he writes, however, there is an amazing depth to his plot and characters that doesn't hit you immediately. Sometimes the underlying message is profound, sometimes obvious; but all of the time---memorable, tantalizing and utterly remarkable.

Hope and Dylan's story started slowly, but after reading the entire book, I think I know why. And, I cannot know what the author was thinking, so this is just my opinion. I believe it was necessary to convey to the readers the depth of Hope's depression and her utter hopelessness. So, as a reader, the slow build in the beginning of the book enabled me to really understand the inner workings of Hope's mindset. At first, I said to myself--educated black woman in dead end job dumped during Christmas holidays. Check. But that's a superficial and simplistic understanding of the really devastating consequences that threatened Hope's mental and physical well-being. Hence, I believe the slow building of the story was necessary.

Now, about Dylan. Not sure, but I think he was always interested in Hope but was afraid to approach her---she definitely was a standoffish, unapproachable sort of woman. Anyway, Dylan was a breath of fresh air. His enthusiasm for life and his love of the children to whom he taught art and to whom he dedicated his off-time was so powerful. He was no phony when it came to his dedication to the students. Dylan was inspiration personified. He had a lust for life, believed in his heart that one day his dreams would come true, and he was open to love.

If I remember correctly, there had been many negative challenges in Dylan's life too, and I believe he inspired Hope to begin thinking that perhaps she could overcome too. With Dylan's help, Hope began to see the possibilities of living without the handicapping conditions that gripped her. As a result, she started to examine her life and her responses to the disappointments and frustrations that life handed her. Over time, Dylan enabled Hope to develop better coping skills and even to dispel some of the negative thoughts/issues that had been plaguing her.

This was a very powerful story about two really beautiful people. Call me still impressed!

[Lizzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will remind you the sweetness of falling in love. I enjoyed the story, its flow and humor had me giggling out loud. It was like a true fantasy romance, complete with a white knight. Even as it broached subject like cancer and anorexia, it was respecful and uplifting. I picked this up just browsing through the "new" shelf at the library. I am glad the gorgeous couple on the cover caught my eyes.

[Wai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely sweet story of two ordinary people falling in love. Hope started out depressed, pessimistic & dare I say it, without hope. She even saw Dylan in a negative way or ignored him for many years until one fateful day when she had to talk to him face to face. But I like to think that her negative rumination was turning for the better that day and look what she got for giving life a chance... A kind reminder to depressed people that there is always hope, I think.

[Vennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a true delight. It begins with 72 Days Left for Christmas shopping and works it's way through the season.

It's a love story and so much more. It's the miracle of Christmas, Joy to the World type of Christmas story where anything and everything comes true at Christmas.

It is truly so far away from reality it's just plain heartwarming.

Do read it, I really believe you will like it.

[Deloris · Rating 5 out of 5]

APB Perspective Review:

This book is quirky and I loved it , it's best thing to find love when you think you're not ready and you're not even looking , Hope and Dylan found each other and their tale is wonderful . It's so full of the things you hope love will be. Dylan and Hope are so open to each other and their hearts makes you want the type of friendship and love they show each other . You never know what a person has to offer until you open yourself for the possibility .

[Nsia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

I truly enjoyed this book. It was very funny, storylines on serious issues such as eating disorders and depression with class. The characters in the book drew me in so much I felt that I knew them personally.
I hated when I got to the end. It felt incomplete, perhaps another chapter or two?
Nevertheless I would recommend this book to others and I'm definitely going to read more works by this amazing author

[Rachelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually liked this book more than "I'll Be Your Everything", I was impressed with the authors effort and how he included island talk in the book. Maybe I've been off in my French but some of the thing that he said could of been put differently. Besides that I enjoyed the book. I loved how Hope was so appreciative of Dylan. This story was a good.

[Alona · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most romantic and thoughtfully written books I've ever read! I got the book three days and read it straight through-I couldn't put it down. I am forever a J.J. Murray fan! Merry freaking Christmas ;-)

[Wauktown Thumper · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like a few of his others books better. But it wasn't bad.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tres adorbs.

Also, I've been singing that song for three days.

[Sarah S · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy watching those terrible Christmas movies that Hallmark and Lifetime churn out each year. Reading this book reminded me of that feeling.

[Shannan Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought it was a cute story. Every one seemed to have a nice happy ending

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heart-warming story!

[Atinuke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I will confess I did skip a few lines so I could see how it ended.