The Keys to my Diary: Marina

The Keys to My Diary #2

by Ann Omasta

You can visit the Florida Keys by peeking inside Marina's diary!

Hello. My name is Marina Carpenter, and I am divorced.

I never in a bazillion years thought I would have to utter those words about myself.

Fern, my BFF, thought it would be a good idea for me to work through my hurt feelings by writing in this journal. It doesn't seem to be working.

Maybe I need a hot, young, motorcycle-riding tourist to help me forget this overwhelming sadness for a bit.

I'll just need to remember that it's a temporary fling. No problem... right?

Sneak a peek inside my diary today!

Genres: Romance, Chick Lit, Novella, Contemporary Romance

184 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 1, 2016

About the author

Ann Omasta is a USA Today bestselling author.

Subscribe to her YouTube channel for FREE audiobooks! https://www.youtube.com/@annomastaauthor

Here is a Top 10 list from Ann about her likes, dislikes, and oddities:

1. I despise whipped cream. There, I admitted it in writing. Let the ridiculing begin.
2. Even though I have lived as far south as Key Largo, Florida and as far north as Maine, I landed in the middle.
3. If I don't make a conscious effort not to, I will drink nothing but tea morning, noon and night. Hot tea, sweet tea, green tea––I love it all.
4. There doesn't seem to be much in life that is better than coming home to a couple of big dogs who are overjoyed to see me. My other family members usually show significantly less enthusiasm about my return.
5. Singing in my bestest, loudest voice does not make my family put on their happy faces. This includes the big, loving dogs referenced above.
6. Yes, I am aware that bestest is not a word.
7. Dorothy was right. There's no place like home.
8. All of the numerous bottles in my shower must be lined up with their labels facing out. It makes me feel a little like Julia Roberts' mean husband from the movie 'Sleeping with the Enemy,' but I can't seem to control this particular quirk.
9. I love, love, love finding a great bargain.
10. Did I mention that I hate whipped cream? It makes my stomach churn to look at it, touch it, smell it, or even think about it. Great––now I'm thinking about it. Ick!

** Ann would LOVE to send you a free novella ~ Aloha, Baby! Visit annomasta.com to let her know where to send it.

Reviews

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (9/17/2019)! 🎁

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given a free copy of this story in exchange for an honest review. The diary angle makes the story more interesting than if we just follow Marina as she becomes more the person she wants to be without Frank. Marina's friend gave her a book so she could write things in it. Marina wasn't sure she would use a diary but she knew her friend would be asking about it. She starts her entries with her divorce. She finally decided that her marriage was no marriage when she got tired of Frank cheating on her. Frank left her with so little self esteem that when Mark's gay cousin shows interest in Marina she decides she can practice with him. Neither one of them will be hurt. But Marina gets a big surprise from August as they hang out together.

[Perrin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read, cute story. Downgraded to three stars because of repetition and a slightly unsatisfactory ending.

Remove the repetition, add more about her feelings and experiences of her newfound power of being a dive captain, and give the reader more at the very end. Though the last diary entry was a nice, unexpected touch.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

👍👍What a yummy love story!! Told in diary form, you get all of the thoughts and emotions of recent divorcee Marina as she dusts off her life and moves on, with the help of friends and Gus, a delicious younger man. There's a bit of repetition, but that just makes it more realistic as a diary; if our emotions remain constant, then mentioning them repeatedly seems quite natural. But, I was rewarded by a glimpse of Gus' inner thoughts and feelings at the story's end.

Marina and Gus were a dynamite pair, good people with lots of positive vibes and fiery sparks between them. Marina is a bit of a butterfly, released from her deteriorating marriage to womanizing Frank to spread her wings and enjoy a more expansive and joyful life. The one thing that kept this from being perfect was the ending. No spoiler, but I think the final scene would have been improved with Marina and Gus actually in the same room!

I received a complimentary advance copy of this book; this is my voluntary and honest review.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever read someone's diary? This book is a peek inside Marina's life as she begins a new chapter. Freshly divorced and making decisions, her friend Fern gives her the diary to help her write down thoughts, dreams, anything that may help her clear her head. What we get is that glimpse of her, the feelings she has, the changes she is making, and how it all effects her life. It's a wonderful perspective of a woman coming into her own and finding her peace. I love this story, as Marina has her transformation. From her divorce from Frank to her new relationship with Gus, to a new career and mom to the cutest puppy I could feel her emotional change. It's an interesting look, all from Marina's point of view and an amazing listen. Narrated by the author, she is able to give it the exact feels that are intended. I love Ann Omasta and keep watching for her books!

[Kathryn · Rating 2 out of 5]

The diary idea was great at first, something different from every other romance book, BUT, by about halfway thru I was tired of it. I set it aside for a few days which is definitely a sign I’m over a book but I went back.
I missed having normal dialogue. I missed having a story that flowed. And at the end while it was nice to get a tiny snippet of Gus beyond Marina gushing about how great he is, it just wasn’t enough and we never really see them actually make any decisions! It was kind of open ended and not what felt like a true HEA. This style just wasn’t for me.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. It was written in a way that I felt it was to me and me alone. I enjoyed the diary entries instead of a regular love story, it seemed much more personal. I enjoyed all the characters: Marina, August, (not Frank), Skipper, Rad and Fern. So lively and personable. All around fun read. Worth the time.
I voluntarily received an Advanced Readers Copy of this book for review.

[Delacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an at times funny novel that is in the form of a diary entry, so tends to be written in the past tense, and from the h perspective. I liked the story as it didn't happen in a bubble- that is, the h has things that happen outside of the relationship with the H. I would have preferred more to the ending. Overall a good book. *I received a copy of this book from Hidden Gems and this is my voluntary and honest review.

[Hanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting Writing Style

While this book is much sexier than I like (resulting in me putting the book away half read), the writing style is unique and well done. Other "diaries" I have read have been either ponderous, tedious, or totally egotistical. Ann Omasta has written a truly diary-like book in first person, but in a light, friendly, engaging voice. My problem was that the protagonist just was not someone I wanted to spend time with.

[Ashley Hedden · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Keys to My Diary: Marina was another great read by Ann Omasta. Marina finds herself in the Florida Keys and now getting used to life as a divorced woman. Her best friend Fern gave her the idea to write in a diary about what happens in her life. She meets Gus who is a young tourist. He starts to take some of the pain away. I really enjoyed listening to Marina and Gus' story and cant wait to read more by the author.

[Ellen White · Rating 4 out of 5]

A friend suggest Marina write in a journal after her divorce. Giving her access to deeper thoughts about Frank, her ex. What he keep doing, and how self estimate plunged. Some thoughts replayed themselves, until she released them to become who she really was. With the help of some other male and females along the way. The audio is a good way to listen to the writings of her diary and narration was good. Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion.

[BP34 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book in the Keys To My Diary series and this one features Marina. It's written in the diary format so you feel like you are living life right along side of Marina. Being divorced is a place where Marina never saw herself. Her friend Fern is the one who encouraged her to start keeping a diary. Some of her adventures in Key Largo and the Florida Keys are hilarious

[Aurora]

I loved this sweet, sexy story about a new divorcee who falls in love with a somewhat younger man who sweeps her off her feet.
The second in the "keys" series it follows the format of entries in the heroine's diary which provides an interesting point of view that reveals all of the heroine's secret thoughts and dreams but conceals everything she doesn't know.

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though Fern’s book drove me completely mental, I am utterly charmed by Marina’s. Maybe it’s because I have more points of similarity so that I could better connect with Marina. Maybe it was as simple as Marina didn’t behave like a neurotic tween-ager. Whatever it was, watching Marina and Gus fall in love with one another made my heart sigh in happiness.

[Geraldine · Rating 3 out of 5]

What I liked about this book was that it was a departure from the usual way books are written and the ending though surprising was very clever. Some parts were repetitive and a little annoying but overall it was entertaining.

[Ann Omasta]

You can visit the Florida Keys by peeking inside Marina's diary! Sneak a peek here...

Amazon - http://viewBook.at/KeystomyDiaryMarina

Apple, Kobo, Google Play, Nook - https://books2read.com/u/3LrrMJ

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read with fun Keys locations mentioned!

It’s always fun to read about people and places in the Keys being from SWFL and vacationing there every chance I get...and to put that with a romance equals the perfect combination!

[Liz Coleman · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a hard one for me to get through. I like the premise but found the writing hard to get through. The ending was also fairly predictable. A quick read and worth it for free but not worth spending money.

[Tracy Sutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh I loved it and wanted at least a few more entries!! It was so good!!

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Keys to My Diary ~ Marina, the second in Ann Omasta’s Diary Trilogy, entices you to read the third and final book as well introduces you to characters from her others works.

[Amanda Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

So Enjoyable!

Once again, this second in the series is so easy to read. It is a cute love story.... One that kept the pages turning!

[Barbara McCawley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it

Wish there was a sequel. Want to know what happened when Marina read the diary entry. Don’t you all want to know.

[Catherine Geist · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

This was a good book, but was a cliffhanger.The story was good & well written.It kept your interest waiting to see what would happen next.

[Cherill Fannin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved how this book was written in diary form. Marina was a great character and her struggle to find her true self was real. I so enjoyed Gus...he was so sweet and perfect for Marina.

[Alyssa Flitton · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Opal Sibley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Syrupy sweet

I usually prefer mystery books but thought I’d try to branch out. This was just too much although I did sympathize with the woman.

[Robin Dix · Rating 3 out of 5]

The moral of the story...maybe you should tell someone how you feel rega5of the outcome. You might get exactly what you hoped for.

[Brenda L Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun read in this series

[Dawn Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great beach read

This was a really fun read. Marina seriously made me laugh at times!! I love the clever way it ended.

[Rosemary Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have submitted this review after listening to the audiobook of this title.

After a devastating marriage, which had taken her self esteem and self worth away from her, we travel with Marina through the next year, through the writings in her diary.
It's a poignant reminder of what we do to ourselves when we allow another to share their lives with us. Depending on the others character, we can become greater or lesser of a being. Our self esteem and belief in our ability to achieve should not be dependent on another person's beliefs, and yet, that is often what happens.
Thankfully, we can see both sides of this influence within this story, and hopefully it can help others be strong to throw off shackles of a domineering relationship, knowing what damage such a relationship can do to a person's ego and self worth.