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Der Sommer der Sternschnuppen
Manchmal liegt der Weg zum Glück in der Vergangenheit
Grace Hammond liebt Ordnung über alles. Als sie ihren Job als Korrekturleserin verliert, kehrt sie kurzerhand nach Dorset zurück, in die charmante Kleinstadt an der Küste Connecticuts, in der sie aufwuchs. Hier gibt es den besten Apfelkuchen der Welt – und die Ruhe, in der Grace herauszufinden hofft, wie es mit ihrem Leben weitergehen soll. Doch schon bald holt sie das ein, was sie für immer vergessen wollte. Denn in Dorset erlitt Grace einen Verlust, den sie nie verwunden hat. Und sie verliebte sich für einen Sommer in Peter Brooks. Als Grace nun erfährt, dass er ebenfalls zurück in der Stadt ist, treffen Vergangenheit und Gegenwart aufeinander ...
Grace Hammond liebt Ordnung über alles. Als sie ihren Job als Korrekturleserin verliert, kehrt sie kurzerhand nach Dorset zurück, in die charmante Kleinstadt an der Küste Connecticuts, in der sie aufwuchs. Hier gibt es den besten Apfelkuchen der Welt – und die Ruhe, in der Grace herauszufinden hofft, wie es mit ihrem Leben weitergehen soll. Doch schon bald holt sie das ein, was sie für immer vergessen wollte. Denn in Dorset erlitt Grace einen Verlust, den sie nie verwunden hat. Und sie verliebte sich für einen Sommer in Peter Brooks. Als Grace nun erfährt, dass er ebenfalls zurück in der Stadt ist, treffen Vergangenheit und Gegenwart aufeinander ...
446 pages, Paperback
First published May 31, 2016
119 people are currently reading
2665 people want to read
About the author
Mary Simses
10 books370 followersI grew up in Darien, Connecticut and started writing stories when I was eight. Although I always loved to write, I never imagined I could make a living as a fiction writer, so in college I majored in journalism. After working in magazine publishing for a few years, I went back to school to become a lawyer. While working as an attorney, I enrolled in an evening fiction writing class at a nearby university in Connecticut. I wrote "on the side," at night and on weekends, and several of my short stories were published in literary magazines. Finally, I took the big leap and wrote my first novel, The Irresistible Blueberry Bakeshop & Cafe, which was turned into a movie called The Irresistible Blueberry Farm for the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Channel. I live with my husband in Palm Beach, Florida and we have a daughter who is quite a writer herself.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 375 reviews
August 4, 2017
I really did want to love this one, especially after feeling that The Irresistible Blueberry Cafe and Bake Shop was exceptional. Unfortunately, I didn't feel the same about The Rules of Love & Grammar.
I can't remember when a main character has annoyed me as much as Grace did. Her maturity level was not as great as that of most fifteen year olds, and she was well over twice that age. She couldn't seem to make a single wise decision. She didn't see things realistically, and I sure didn't buy the resolution of her romance at the end. Aside from Grace, I liked the characters, which is why I didn't rate the book lower then 3 stars.
The premise for this one sounded really good, and I would have enjoyed it if Grace would have acted like an adult at least sometimes.
Loving the first book by the author so much will make me give the next one of hers a try. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy of the book in return for an honest review.
I can't remember when a main character has annoyed me as much as Grace did. Her maturity level was not as great as that of most fifteen year olds, and she was well over twice that age. She couldn't seem to make a single wise decision. She didn't see things realistically, and I sure didn't buy the resolution of her romance at the end. Aside from Grace, I liked the characters, which is why I didn't rate the book lower then 3 stars.
The premise for this one sounded really good, and I would have enjoyed it if Grace would have acted like an adult at least sometimes.
Loving the first book by the author so much will make me give the next one of hers a try. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy of the book in return for an honest review.
October 19, 2017
All in one go, Grace loses her job and her lover. To top it off the ceiling of her apartments caves in after a water leak and she has to evacuate. Grace retreats to her parents and the place where she grew up in Connecticut. Grace is in her thirties, yet her behaviour is like that of a teenager. She fantasizes about her teenage sweetheart and is still far from having come to terms with her sister’s death, which happened when she was a young teenager.
It was a fairly sweet story but in many ways predictable. Some of the incidents were cringe worthy. Despite being annoyed by Grace and finding her selfish and opinionated , I continued to read it because I was away from home and couldn’t lay hands on anything else to read at the time. I did like the country town setting and some of the inhabitants of the town.
It was a fairly sweet story but in many ways predictable. Some of the incidents were cringe worthy. Despite being annoyed by Grace and finding her selfish and opinionated , I continued to read it because I was away from home and couldn’t lay hands on anything else to read at the time. I did like the country town setting and some of the inhabitants of the town.
November 26, 2018
2.5 stars
March 9, 2017
The 95 pages I read were a waste of time. Teenage angst in a 30-something woman. Juvenile thinking and story. It took nearly 100 pages to finally go somewhere with the story and I realized it was just insipid. It's title and reviews seemed promising. Not so.
January 14, 2018
The Rules of Love and Grammar is the second novel by American journalist, corporate attorney and author, Mary Simses. Bad luck comes in threes, they say. It sure has for Grace Hammond: she’s lost her job as a technical writer, her boyfriend has gone off with his paralegal and the ceiling of her Manhattan apartment has collapsed. Grace goes home to mom and dad in Dorset, Connecticut, ostensibly to help with her father’s 65th birthday party, but also to await apartment repairs and work at getting a new job.
But while she’s in Dorset, she’s constantly reminded of her sister, Renny. It’s not just her parents and the house they grew up in, it’s also because her first boyfriend, the now-famous movie director Peter Brooks is making a movie in town. Her best friend Cluny wants to help reignite old flames. But the star of the show, heartthrob Sean Leeds, is also casting a friendly eye at Grace. Less friendly are the looks she gets from history teacher, Mitch Dees when she brings into his dad’s bicycle shop, an old Schwinn for repair.
The story is narrated by Grace in the first person, present tense, which works fine for this tale. The plot is fairly predictable, but this does not detract from the reader’s enjoyment, and there are plenty of heart-warming and heartbreaking moments. Many of the characters have enough depth and appeal to charm the reader, and the banter between them provides a source of humour, as do Grace’s somewhat slapstick antics.
Yes, Grace who, for much of the book, often acts thirty-three going sixteen: the reader could be forgiven for wondering if she simply stopped growing up when her sister died seventeen years before. She’s carrying grief and guilt over Renny’s death, and perhaps that’s the reason she’s so shallow and immature, at least when she gets together with Cluny, and any time she encounters Regan Moxley, the bane of her teenage years. Perhaps it’s also why, in the space of days, or sometimes hours, she can crush on three different men. Readers wanting to give her a shake will be pleased that she eventually does pull it together. Read it for the wonderful minor characters.
But while she’s in Dorset, she’s constantly reminded of her sister, Renny. It’s not just her parents and the house they grew up in, it’s also because her first boyfriend, the now-famous movie director Peter Brooks is making a movie in town. Her best friend Cluny wants to help reignite old flames. But the star of the show, heartthrob Sean Leeds, is also casting a friendly eye at Grace. Less friendly are the looks she gets from history teacher, Mitch Dees when she brings into his dad’s bicycle shop, an old Schwinn for repair.
The story is narrated by Grace in the first person, present tense, which works fine for this tale. The plot is fairly predictable, but this does not detract from the reader’s enjoyment, and there are plenty of heart-warming and heartbreaking moments. Many of the characters have enough depth and appeal to charm the reader, and the banter between them provides a source of humour, as do Grace’s somewhat slapstick antics.
Yes, Grace who, for much of the book, often acts thirty-three going sixteen: the reader could be forgiven for wondering if she simply stopped growing up when her sister died seventeen years before. She’s carrying grief and guilt over Renny’s death, and perhaps that’s the reason she’s so shallow and immature, at least when she gets together with Cluny, and any time she encounters Regan Moxley, the bane of her teenage years. Perhaps it’s also why, in the space of days, or sometimes hours, she can crush on three different men. Readers wanting to give her a shake will be pleased that she eventually does pull it together. Read it for the wonderful minor characters.
October 28, 2016
I enjoyed this, but I felt like the main character was so stuck in high school. I mean, I get that a tragic thing happened, but she's over 30 now and she's still expecting the world to cater to her, being weirdly childish and selfish and making everything that happens about her, her, her... It was very difficult to like her, she came across as very spoiled, selfish, and kind of a brat. She did grow up a little during the book, which helped, but then when the romance came to fruition it also felt a bit flat - it happened really fast, and even though I knew what was going on, I still couldn't quite reconcile the two of them together.
What I did love was the small town - it was a character itself, and it felt so lovely and idyllic, the kind of place where everyone wishes they grew up or wants to move to and raise their kids(funny that the place she based the town on is in my state and probably about an hour from where I live - loved that, too!).
What I did love was the small town - it was a character itself, and it felt so lovely and idyllic, the kind of place where everyone wishes they grew up or wants to move to and raise their kids(funny that the place she based the town on is in my state and probably about an hour from where I live - loved that, too!).
April 28, 2016
Hach, Mary Simses hat es mal wieder geschafft so ein richtiges Wohlfühlbuch zu schreiben. Sommer, Kleinstadt, Witz und Romantik.
Ich vermisse Dorset und seine Bewohner jetzt schon.
Ich vermisse Dorset und seine Bewohner jetzt schon.
August 24, 2017
The Irresistible Blueberry Bakeshop & Cafe was one of my favorite books a few years ago, so I was excited to see that Mary Simses had a new book out. She once again worked her writing magic, and I found myself immersed in this sweet, and sometimes sad, story.
Grace was easily relatable. I also find myself correcting grammar and spelling mistakes, or at least cringing when I see something really obvious. I was reminded of a time when I fixed the grammar on a sign on my R.A.'s door in college. He brought it up at the floor meeting, but I didn't admit to it since he seemed annoyed. I was also able to relate in regards to Grace having the potential to be a writer, but not trying to achieve that for her career. I feel I could write a novel, but I have yet to take any steps toward it.
Mary's descriptions really bring the story to life. I felt like the town was a cross between Stars Hollow (Gilmore Girls) and Punxsutawney (at least the way it is shown in Groundhog Day). There was enough description to make everything easy to visualize without detracting from the narrative. (Sounds like something Grace would say.)
The Rules of Love & Grammar was well-written and engaging. I found myself laughing, as well as cringing. I even got teary-eyed. I had no idea which direction the story was going to go in, as Grace had some potential suitors to choose from. (Doesn't every girl wish she had that problem?) I feel like Grace needs a sequel, so we can see what happens next. Another idea would be to give her a cameo in Mary's next book, so there could be some follow-up on her life. Perhaps a book about Regan would be fun, since I do enjoy stories where a character I dislike somehow becomes likable (such as in Something Blue by Emily Giffin).
Since Irresistible... was made into a movie (which I hope to see one of these days), I hope this one will be too. Here are some ideas for Hollywood to consider:
Grace: Margo Harshman
Cluny: Emmy Rossum
Peter: James Wolk
Mitch: Santiago Cabrera
Sean: Finn Wittrock
Regan: Sarah Wright
Grace was easily relatable. I also find myself correcting grammar and spelling mistakes, or at least cringing when I see something really obvious. I was reminded of a time when I fixed the grammar on a sign on my R.A.'s door in college. He brought it up at the floor meeting, but I didn't admit to it since he seemed annoyed. I was also able to relate in regards to Grace having the potential to be a writer, but not trying to achieve that for her career. I feel I could write a novel, but I have yet to take any steps toward it.
Mary's descriptions really bring the story to life. I felt like the town was a cross between Stars Hollow (Gilmore Girls) and Punxsutawney (at least the way it is shown in Groundhog Day). There was enough description to make everything easy to visualize without detracting from the narrative. (Sounds like something Grace would say.)
The Rules of Love & Grammar was well-written and engaging. I found myself laughing, as well as cringing. I even got teary-eyed. I had no idea which direction the story was going to go in, as Grace had some potential suitors to choose from. (Doesn't every girl wish she had that problem?) I feel like Grace needs a sequel, so we can see what happens next. Another idea would be to give her a cameo in Mary's next book, so there could be some follow-up on her life. Perhaps a book about Regan would be fun, since I do enjoy stories where a character I dislike somehow becomes likable (such as in Something Blue by Emily Giffin).
Since Irresistible... was made into a movie (which I hope to see one of these days), I hope this one will be too. Here are some ideas for Hollywood to consider:
Grace: Margo Harshman
Cluny: Emmy Rossum
Peter: James Wolk
Mitch: Santiago Cabrera
Sean: Finn Wittrock
Regan: Sarah Wright
April 20, 2018
It's not a roast, but it's not a glowing review either.... Simses had so many things that could have gone so right, but she fell into the realm of generic love sick, husband hunting female character. Grace Hammond is a grammar nazi woman in her early thirties. She's immature and not easy to like. Simses had a lot of really promising aspects of the book in relation to the familial themes, but she did not develop or spend the time on those portions they deserved. There were a lot of really interesting things she could have pursued instead of the generic love story it was. Overall it fell short. Read my full review at:
https://bookishliaisons.wixsite.com/b...
https://bookishliaisons.wixsite.com/b...
January 21, 2020
One of the things I was going to complain about did resolve itself towards the end so that was good.
I found myself going through this story rather quickly as I enjoyed it! The characters were likable people. Mitch was sketchy at first but he grew on me once I learned he was a history teacher.
Grace would have annoyed the ever-loving everything out of me in person correcting everything, I mean I am a grammar nazi myself but I don't carry a sharpie on me and write on people's things good gosh! Haha so I'm bad but not that bad haha.
I liked the angle with the bike shop in the middle of the story and how it wound up being a big part towards the end of it.
Yeah I was pretty much cheering for her to end up with guy she winds up with because it made sense.
I found myself going through this story rather quickly as I enjoyed it! The characters were likable people. Mitch was sketchy at first but he grew on me once I learned he was a history teacher.
Grace would have annoyed the ever-loving everything out of me in person correcting everything, I mean I am a grammar nazi myself but I don't carry a sharpie on me and write on people's things good gosh! Haha so I'm bad but not that bad haha.
I liked the angle with the bike shop in the middle of the story and how it wound up being a big part towards the end of it.
Yeah I was pretty much cheering for her to end up with guy she winds up with because it made sense.
July 16, 2017
3.5 stars
Grace Hammond has been dumped, lost her job and had her ceiling destroyed by a leak in the upstairs apartment, all in one fell swoop. She has come home from Manhattan to spend a few weeks with her parents while her apartment is fixed and to attend her father's sixty-fifth birthday. While home she is faced with strong memories of her sister, Renny, who died at 18, the return of her first love and time with her best friend, Cluny.
I enjoyed this romance more than normal for me. It took a few chapters for me to get into it, most likely because I was only reading one chapter at a times.
Grace Hammond has been dumped, lost her job and had her ceiling destroyed by a leak in the upstairs apartment, all in one fell swoop. She has come home from Manhattan to spend a few weeks with her parents while her apartment is fixed and to attend her father's sixty-fifth birthday. While home she is faced with strong memories of her sister, Renny, who died at 18, the return of her first love and time with her best friend, Cluny.
I enjoyed this romance more than normal for me. It took a few chapters for me to get into it, most likely because I was only reading one chapter at a times.
December 3, 2018
I don't usually write reviews, but this book was so irritating that I decided I had to say something about it. Overall, it's just not very interesting, there's not much of a story arc (events take place, but don't really feel like they build toward anything), the characters don't really develop, and the writing is very pedantic. The author comes across very heavy-handed in establishing her message: "The moral of this story is HERE. Did you catch the symbolism HERE? With the BIKE?" I wish it were more subtle.
Grace is an annoying protagonist who basically acts like a teenager the whole time. She fawns over her high school boyfriend who's back in town, but is too afraid to talk unless she feels threatened by the high school queen bee making a move on him. She throws a tantrum when her dad tries to offer career advice or help. She can't figure out how she feels about the 3 men who are into her. When she messes up, she doesn't take responsibility for her actions and offers non-apologies.
Things keep going until Grace has a cathartic hug-it-out talk with her parents that magically resolves all her childhood trauma and grief of her sister's death about 300 pages in, after which she magically resolves to become a new person for no apparent reason! It lasts for all of two seconds before she reverts back to lying to make herself look better when backed into a corner. And best of all, one of the 3 men finally declares his love for her on literally the second to last page of the book before the epilogue. Not worth the time to read the 368 pages.
Grace is an annoying protagonist who basically acts like a teenager the whole time. She fawns over her high school boyfriend who's back in town, but is too afraid to talk unless she feels threatened by the high school queen bee making a move on him. She throws a tantrum when her dad tries to offer career advice or help. She can't figure out how she feels about the 3 men who are into her. When she messes up, she doesn't take responsibility for her actions and offers non-apologies.
Things keep going until Grace has a cathartic hug-it-out talk with her parents that magically resolves all her childhood trauma and grief of her sister's death about 300 pages in, after which she magically resolves to become a new person for no apparent reason! It lasts for all of two seconds before she reverts back to lying to make herself look better when backed into a corner. And best of all, one of the 3 men finally declares his love for her on literally the second to last page of the book before the epilogue. Not worth the time to read the 368 pages.
July 17, 2016
This book was not good, the writing was not good, the characters were not developed, she didn't finish any of the storylines properly. Don't read this.
September 15, 2018
It’s like reading a hallmark movie. Sometimes that’s what you want
July 3, 2018
Una storia carina e buffa che purtroppo non mi ha convinta del tutto.
Recensione completa qui
http://imieimagicimondi.blogspot.com/...
Recensione completa qui
http://imieimagicimondi.blogspot.com/...
July 10, 2017
The Rules of Love and Grammar was readable and nice overall, but you see, that's the problem. It was... just nice, I'm afraid there's nothing more.
I kept waiting for something special to happen in the book, especially since the writing is so graphic that I expected the novel to, you know, make me feel. But honestly, the story was a bit bland. It needs a more reliable main character. Grace did not sound like her age sometimes. There were some petty behaviors, like the perfume fiasco and the outwitting her high school nemesis during a three-legged race, that made me cringe and made me cry inside with "Why Mary Simses, why?" And WTH was Sean Leeds for, may I just ask? The writer could have omitted him completely and everything will be the same. Then there's also the Sophie Kinsella channeling with all the "Oh no, I will be remembered as the girl who..." and all the "I picture us living in Malibu and attending the Oscar's..." Gahd I hate when main characters assume and fantasize about the sappy future which the reader know will never happen. It doesn't help in the plot at all. It is ANNOYING.
And speaking of the plot, let me quote a passage in the book that could describe it:
It could also be about stories, and whether there are stories that will finally know what to do with itself. The storyline came in bursts. A scene of Grace grieving would start, but next thing it will be about her love interest, then it's something about her family, then it's about her career. It was like there was a lot happening, but nothing is really happening. Sure, it has its moments, but it did not feel cohesive enough. I felt as if the novel needs a rewrite to have a more solid story.
Despite all this, I am still willing to take a chance in another Mary Simses novel. As I have said earlier, her words are so graphic that, to take it from James Patterson, it "puts you right in the scene," which I like about stories.
I kept waiting for something special to happen in the book, especially since the writing is so graphic that I expected the novel to, you know, make me feel. But honestly, the story was a bit bland. It needs a more reliable main character. Grace did not sound like her age sometimes. There were some petty behaviors, like the perfume fiasco and the outwitting her high school nemesis during a three-legged race, that made me cringe and made me cry inside with "Why Mary Simses, why?" And WTH was Sean Leeds for, may I just ask? The writer could have omitted him completely and everything will be the same. Then there's also the Sophie Kinsella channeling with all the "Oh no, I will be remembered as the girl who..." and all the "I picture us living in Malibu and attending the Oscar's..." Gahd I hate when main characters assume and fantasize about the sappy future which the reader know will never happen. It doesn't help in the plot at all. It is ANNOYING.
And speaking of the plot, let me quote a passage in the book that could describe it:
"It's... about seeds--how they blow around, looking for a place to land and take root, and whether there are seeds that blow around forever."
It could also be about stories, and whether there are stories that will finally know what to do with itself. The storyline came in bursts. A scene of Grace grieving would start, but next thing it will be about her love interest, then it's something about her family, then it's about her career. It was like there was a lot happening, but nothing is really happening. Sure, it has its moments, but it did not feel cohesive enough. I felt as if the novel needs a rewrite to have a more solid story.
Despite all this, I am still willing to take a chance in another Mary Simses novel. As I have said earlier, her words are so graphic that, to take it from James Patterson, it "puts you right in the scene," which I like about stories.
August 3, 2016
Last year I read Mary Simses' wonderful "The Irresistible Blueberry Bakeshop & Cafe". I found it charming, relaxing and a thoroughly enjoyable read. It was my favorite book I read in 2015! I looked forward to her next book which turned out to be "The Rules of Love & Grammar."
To use a food illustration, reading "The Irresistible Blueberry Bakeshop & Cafe" was like eating and enjoying a hot, delicious home cooked meal. Unfortunately, reading "The Rules of Love & Grammar" was like a souffle that fell completely flat.
One of the key pieces to me enjoying a novel is for me to click, to understand, to root for and/or empathize with the main character. I never could click with Grace, the lead of the novel. I found her to be whiny, complacent and often times annoying. I had to remind myself at times that I was reading about a 30-ish woman and not a brooding teenager.
The book's overall tone was somber and mysterious. I enjoyed the mystery aspect but the somber, depressing scenes and tones turned me off. I read to relax and get away, not to dive into someone's family drama and dark sides. I know some reviewers likened this to a good beach read but to be honest, I most definitely wouldn't call it that. To me a beach read is something light, fun and makes you feel good. Where I looked forward to reading Ms. Simses' first novel every day, this book's dramatic plot felt more like a chore to get through.
Mary Simses didn't disappoint in her writing style however. I may not have enjoyed the theme or nature of the story but her writing (in both novels) does have a great way of putting you right into the heart of it, able to picture the scene, its characters and events seamlessly and effortlessly. I love that.
Despite my low rating of this novel, I look forward to Mary Simses' next works. I just would highly recommend trying out her first novel instead.
(I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review on it.)
To use a food illustration, reading "The Irresistible Blueberry Bakeshop & Cafe" was like eating and enjoying a hot, delicious home cooked meal. Unfortunately, reading "The Rules of Love & Grammar" was like a souffle that fell completely flat.
One of the key pieces to me enjoying a novel is for me to click, to understand, to root for and/or empathize with the main character. I never could click with Grace, the lead of the novel. I found her to be whiny, complacent and often times annoying. I had to remind myself at times that I was reading about a 30-ish woman and not a brooding teenager.
The book's overall tone was somber and mysterious. I enjoyed the mystery aspect but the somber, depressing scenes and tones turned me off. I read to relax and get away, not to dive into someone's family drama and dark sides. I know some reviewers likened this to a good beach read but to be honest, I most definitely wouldn't call it that. To me a beach read is something light, fun and makes you feel good. Where I looked forward to reading Ms. Simses' first novel every day, this book's dramatic plot felt more like a chore to get through.
Mary Simses didn't disappoint in her writing style however. I may not have enjoyed the theme or nature of the story but her writing (in both novels) does have a great way of putting you right into the heart of it, able to picture the scene, its characters and events seamlessly and effortlessly. I love that.
Despite my low rating of this novel, I look forward to Mary Simses' next works. I just would highly recommend trying out her first novel instead.
(I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review on it.)
July 31, 2016
When I started reading this book, I had a fairly closed mind about what I would experience. I couldn't remember why I chose to take it home- perhaps because the cover is exceedingly pretty. But when I picked it up to read, I noticed a promo blurb from James Patterson. I'm ashamed to admit it, but from the author bio I concluded that, because Mary Simses lives in south Florida, she somehow knows Patterson and thus he was obliged to say something good about a book clearly marketed to women.
I thought I would skim it and lose interest, but the story is good and the writing is actually very good. The premise is classic women's fiction: a woman (Grace Hammond) is down on her luck and unwillingly goes home. While there, she is forced to confront dormant family issues while rekindling old friendships, looking for a new life path and perhaps finding love.
I had turned away from women's fiction for a time because I find many stories in this genre to be mostly romances that move slowly and include a lot of other troubled relationships.
The Rules of Love and Grammar, somewhat fits into my pre-conception, and yet their was a freshness to the dialogue and the characters themselves that kept me very engaged. The romantic story line is subtle and not easily predictable, which added another layer of interest for me.
I thought I would skim it and lose interest, but the story is good and the writing is actually very good. The premise is classic women's fiction: a woman (Grace Hammond) is down on her luck and unwillingly goes home. While there, she is forced to confront dormant family issues while rekindling old friendships, looking for a new life path and perhaps finding love.
I had turned away from women's fiction for a time because I find many stories in this genre to be mostly romances that move slowly and include a lot of other troubled relationships.
The Rules of Love and Grammar, somewhat fits into my pre-conception, and yet their was a freshness to the dialogue and the characters themselves that kept me very engaged. The romantic story line is subtle and not easily predictable, which added another layer of interest for me.
August 19, 2016
Once again Mary Simses has delivered us a heartfelt story of discovering ourselves, and the love of family. You will instantly become friends with the characters in this book and feel like you to are following their journey through friendships and love! A must read!
September 24, 2016
I'm torn on my review. I enjoyed reading this book, but I agree with others that it wasn't anything great, didn't have anything shocking. The story was sweet and loving, but a bit predictable. If you love a book with twists and turns in our, this is not the book for you.
September 14, 2020
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3 1/2 Letto e recensito da Iaia
Grace Hammond torna nel suo paese, Dorset, in Connecticut a casa dei suoi genitori. La sua visita sarà più lunga del solito visto che l’appartamento a New York sta subendo una ristrutturazione e, oltretutto, ha perso il lavoro e il suo fidanzato. Una bella tripletta. Rincontra, dopo 17 anni, Peter, il suo ex ragazzo quando aveva 16 anni e che ora è un affermato regista di Hollywood. Poi conosce Mitch, un professore universitario di storia che durante l’estate aiuta il padre nell’officina di biciclette. Grace è molto ancorata al passato e al ricordo di sua sorella deceduta in un incidente stradale. Lei ritiene di essere la causa della sua morte e quindi vive questa mancanza con molta angoscia. Dopo una spiegazione con i genitori e spiegando la sua convinzione di ciò che era successo la sera dell’incidente e dopo aver chiarito con il padre e la madre di essere ritenuta inferiore alla sorella sente che è arrivato il tempo di pensare e vedere le cose in modo diverso.
In certi momenti ho trovato il libro piuttosto noioso. Tutto gira intorno alla protagonista che è convinta di ciò che pensa e non si accorge che, a volte, il suo modo di vedere le cose distorcono la verità. Insomma è un libro un po’ psicologico e ricchissimo di ricordi tutti riferiti a episodi tra lei e sua sorella Ranny. Grace non ha incontrato tutta la mia simpatia, ha alti e bassi di continuo e qualche volta, per togliersi dai guai, dice delle sciocche bugie e che a me hanno dato piuttosto fastidio.
3 1/2 Letto e recensito da Iaia
Grace Hammond torna nel suo paese, Dorset, in Connecticut a casa dei suoi genitori. La sua visita sarà più lunga del solito visto che l’appartamento a New York sta subendo una ristrutturazione e, oltretutto, ha perso il lavoro e il suo fidanzato. Una bella tripletta. Rincontra, dopo 17 anni, Peter, il suo ex ragazzo quando aveva 16 anni e che ora è un affermato regista di Hollywood. Poi conosce Mitch, un professore universitario di storia che durante l’estate aiuta il padre nell’officina di biciclette. Grace è molto ancorata al passato e al ricordo di sua sorella deceduta in un incidente stradale. Lei ritiene di essere la causa della sua morte e quindi vive questa mancanza con molta angoscia. Dopo una spiegazione con i genitori e spiegando la sua convinzione di ciò che era successo la sera dell’incidente e dopo aver chiarito con il padre e la madre di essere ritenuta inferiore alla sorella sente che è arrivato il tempo di pensare e vedere le cose in modo diverso.
In certi momenti ho trovato il libro piuttosto noioso. Tutto gira intorno alla protagonista che è convinta di ciò che pensa e non si accorge che, a volte, il suo modo di vedere le cose distorcono la verità. Insomma è un libro un po’ psicologico e ricchissimo di ricordi tutti riferiti a episodi tra lei e sua sorella Ranny. Grace non ha incontrato tutta la mia simpatia, ha alti e bassi di continuo e qualche volta, per togliersi dai guai, dice delle sciocche bugie e che a me hanno dato piuttosto fastidio.
January 14, 2021
Grace: 
Seriously, Grace could totally be on the Teen Girl Squad. There are like, three or four potential love interests here because Grace thinks she has a chance with like, every guy she has an interaction with in her hometown. Where apparently every person she ever knew still lives, including a woman who is basically a caricature that Grace is INSANELY jealous of, but Grace has like, no confidence whatsoever, so of course she's always trying to outdo this woman who is in no way a real person.
But also GIRL. YOU ARE THIRTY-THREE. YOU DON'T STILL HAVE TO BRING UP HIGH SCHOOL IN EVERY INTERACTION. ALSO JUST BECAUSE YOUR EX-BOYFRIEND COMES BACK TO TOWN FOR WORK REASONS DOESN'T MEAN HE'S GOING TO MARRY YOU AND WHISK YOU OFF TO HIS MANSION IN HOLLYWOOD. STOP BEING SUCH A TRY-HARD.
I didn't hate this, but most of my thoughts about it are complaints, so I'mma leave this here.
P.S. There's some fat-phobic language in here.
Seriously, Grace could totally be on the Teen Girl Squad. There are like, three or four potential love interests here because Grace thinks she has a chance with like, every guy she has an interaction with in her hometown. Where apparently every person she ever knew still lives, including a woman who is basically a caricature that Grace is INSANELY jealous of, but Grace has like, no confidence whatsoever, so of course she's always trying to outdo this woman who is in no way a real person.
But also GIRL. YOU ARE THIRTY-THREE. YOU DON'T STILL HAVE TO BRING UP HIGH SCHOOL IN EVERY INTERACTION. ALSO JUST BECAUSE YOUR EX-BOYFRIEND COMES BACK TO TOWN FOR WORK REASONS DOESN'T MEAN HE'S GOING TO MARRY YOU AND WHISK YOU OFF TO HIS MANSION IN HOLLYWOOD. STOP BEING SUCH A TRY-HARD.
I didn't hate this, but most of my thoughts about it are complaints, so I'mma leave this here.
P.S. There's some fat-phobic language in here.
June 15, 2017
I won this book from Goodreads. I wish I could give it 3.5 stars because 3 seems a bit harsh.
I admit that I expected a bit more from the story.
Having lost her job, and forced from her apartment, Grace is finds herself returning to stay with her parents. Here she is faced with all of the memories of her sister's death in a car accident several years earlier.
Meanwhile, an old beau from high school is back in town directing a new movie. Grace dreams of picking up where they left off. But there is a handsome actor who expresses an interest in her, and a co-worker who has issues with her that seem to get in the way of her 'renewed' relationship.
Throw in a jealous chick who tries to sabotage a reunion and you have the depth of this story. I felt that the characters were a bit too shallow to be believable as well!
I have never read anything by Mary Simses, but I am going to give her another try!
I admit that I expected a bit more from the story.
Having lost her job, and forced from her apartment, Grace is finds herself returning to stay with her parents. Here she is faced with all of the memories of her sister's death in a car accident several years earlier.
Meanwhile, an old beau from high school is back in town directing a new movie. Grace dreams of picking up where they left off. But there is a handsome actor who expresses an interest in her, and a co-worker who has issues with her that seem to get in the way of her 'renewed' relationship.
Throw in a jealous chick who tries to sabotage a reunion and you have the depth of this story. I felt that the characters were a bit too shallow to be believable as well!
I have never read anything by Mary Simses, but I am going to give her another try!
August 7, 2017
Overall, it took a lot to get through this novel. The main character Grace has just lost her job, her boyfriend and her apartment's ceiling has collapsed. So she finds herself back in her hometown, reliving memories of her past, including the death of her sister when she was a teenager. It would all be touching except for the fact that Grace is 33 and acts like a thirteen-year-old, what's worse is that she regresses instead of progressing. Then there's a 'epiphany' moment that is unbelievable, and it still does nothing to make Grace more likable. The writing is stilted at times, burdened by unneeded description with dialogue that feels forced. Overall, it was cute, but I struggled with the immaturity of the main character. If she's been twenty, the events would've been more believable and maybe a bit less annoying.
October 13, 2020
I liked the premise. A grammar nazi? Like so many of us book lovers. Nice! But pretty fluffy. The main character, Grace, was somewhat frustrating, because she could never learn to just be honest and herself, kind of immature, even to the end. She always tried to be someone she wasnt. All the other characters were likeable, as was the setting. But the author sort of hit you over the head with that: all the small business shops with cutesie names. Like she's setting us up for many sequels.
September 21, 2017
Ko es domāju par šo grāmatu? Gandrīz neko. Visas sievietes grāmatā ir kā kaķēni, visi vīrieši kā lācēni un visi kopā tēlo "pieaugušos". Neslēpti romantiska, naiva grāmata. To lasot, vari pārsniegt dienas ieteicamo cukura devu!
January 15, 2024
Somewhere between 3.5 and 3.75 stars. Felt like a hallmark movie, in the best way.
I wish there had been less Peter and more Mitch. Grace at times was so incredibly cringey, but I couldn’t help rooting for her.
The ending felt a little rushed. I wonder if there will be a part two?
I wish there had been less Peter and more Mitch. Grace at times was so incredibly cringey, but I couldn’t help rooting for her.
The ending felt a little rushed. I wonder if there will be a part two?
December 10, 2024
Après une autre panne de lecture, je l’ai enfin terminé afin de me lancer dans mes romans de Noël. J’ai de loin préféré ma première lecture de cette auteur, mais l’histoire est tout de même intéressante. Quelques longueurs cependant, selon moi.
October 15, 2017
Schmaltzy. I like a little schmaltz once in a while. But the 33 year old protagonist had way too many juvenile moments. I felt they got worse as the book went on. Predictable.
June 28, 2018
Three words: summer.beach.read.
That is all.
That is all.
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