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Searching for Glory
This is an alternate cover edition for ASIN B0097K1IAK.
Gloria Star is rich and famous. She's on a hit television show and engaged to one of the most desired men in Hollywood. Her life is perfect. But then she gets a letter in the mail that changes everything. The past she has been trying to forget for so long has finally come back to haunt her.
Gloria Star hasn't always been an A-list celebrity. She used to be just a regular Midwestern girl named Glory Stark. Now she is forced to reconcile her two lives because Johnny Carter, the only man she ever loved, has asked her to return to her hometown, and she can't say no. Ten years ago, one night changed everything for Gloria and Johnny. Not only did Gloria lose Johnny, but she also lost herself.
Now she's headed back to Princeton, Missouri, to reconnect with her sister and make amends with Johnny. She quickly realizes that returning to Glory Stark's life isn't going to be easy. As she faces painful truths about her past and an uncertain future, Gloria learns that forgiveness is essential, family is everything and love is forever.
Gloria Star is rich and famous. She's on a hit television show and engaged to one of the most desired men in Hollywood. Her life is perfect. But then she gets a letter in the mail that changes everything. The past she has been trying to forget for so long has finally come back to haunt her.
Gloria Star hasn't always been an A-list celebrity. She used to be just a regular Midwestern girl named Glory Stark. Now she is forced to reconcile her two lives because Johnny Carter, the only man she ever loved, has asked her to return to her hometown, and she can't say no. Ten years ago, one night changed everything for Gloria and Johnny. Not only did Gloria lose Johnny, but she also lost herself.
Now she's headed back to Princeton, Missouri, to reconnect with her sister and make amends with Johnny. She quickly realizes that returning to Glory Stark's life isn't going to be easy. As she faces painful truths about her past and an uncertain future, Gloria learns that forgiveness is essential, family is everything and love is forever.
283 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
200 people are currently reading
1016 people want to read
About the author
Hunter J. Keane
39 books34 followersHunter J. Keane lives in Chicago where she surrounds herself with good food, great books and fantastic friends.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
March 20, 2013
This book is seriously fabulous. I loved the flow of it and all the characters.
I've read a voice like Gloria's before, and I really enjoy it. Amazingly, Arijana manages to keep finding that same voice in her book recommendations to me again and again. Thanks, friend, you seriously know how to pick them.
Gloria has had a rough history so this statement is not surprising.
The deepest wounds never really heal. They never become a scar.
Her story is told in alternating chapter flashback through unsent letters to Johnny. I love that while there are some angsty things going on , the story is still cheerful because of the kind of heroine Gloria is. She's a tough cookie. Despite her uncertainty, she really is wise and this is one of my most favourite things about her. She really knows how to put things into perspective. She's so damn sensible.
Gloria's story is second chance love like I've never seen it. Don't let the wishy-washy cover fool you. What Gloria and Johnny share isn't romantic, with hearts and flowers, it's love. Love in its pure and raw form, if you know what I mean. The beauty of it is that it's always simmering beneath the surface. The way they treat each other, you wouldn't really be able to see it, unless you're looking for it.
I was so delighted with their interactions. This is my favourite of their conversations. I just love the flow of it. It's semi-spoilerish.
Johnny, Johnny, Johnny. Usually, I would dislike that name for a hero, but Johnny pulls it off. I love this guy. I mean really, I do. Everything that came out of his mouth is like gold.
Johnny was right behind me, his arms on either side of me at waist level. If I fell, he would either catch me or I would take him out on the way down. It was a familiar situation for us.
I've read a voice like Gloria's before, and I really enjoy it. Amazingly, Arijana manages to keep finding that same voice in her book recommendations to me again and again. Thanks, friend, you seriously know how to pick them.
Gloria has had a rough history so this statement is not surprising.
The deepest wounds never really heal. They never become a scar.
Her story is told in alternating chapter flashback through unsent letters to Johnny. I love that while there are some angsty things going on , the story is still cheerful because of the kind of heroine Gloria is. She's a tough cookie. Despite her uncertainty, she really is wise and this is one of my most favourite things about her. She really knows how to put things into perspective. She's so damn sensible.
Gloria's story is second chance love like I've never seen it. Don't let the wishy-washy cover fool you. What Gloria and Johnny share isn't romantic, with hearts and flowers, it's love. Love in its pure and raw form, if you know what I mean. The beauty of it is that it's always simmering beneath the surface. The way they treat each other, you wouldn't really be able to see it, unless you're looking for it.
I was so delighted with their interactions. This is my favourite of their conversations. I just love the flow of it. It's semi-spoilerish.
Johnny, Johnny, Johnny. Usually, I would dislike that name for a hero, but Johnny pulls it off. I love this guy. I mean really, I do. Everything that came out of his mouth is like gold.
Johnny was right behind me, his arms on either side of me at waist level. If I fell, he would either catch me or I would take him out on the way down. It was a familiar situation for us.
July 31, 2013
Great story. The story line moved at a nice pace. I liked that the drama didn’t drag on forever. The story line had a nice pace with explaining the horror of Glory’s past while also building a connection with Vic’s family. You didn’t have to wait long to understand the theme of the story. I hate when the reader has to wait until half way into the book before you find out the plot of the story. The situations with the kids and reading how Glory just stepped in a helped her sister was very believable. I mean Glory had to deal with the learning curve of helping her nieces and nephews and being strong for sister. I give kudos to the author for not extending out drama with Glory and Johnny. That drives me crazy when the author writes scenes of the heroine and lover taking forever to get together. I liked reading the love letters because it helped express the love Glory felt for Johnny. That added a special touch to the story. I wound recommend this story for others to read.
October 15, 2014
It started out familiar--small town girl becomes famous and then is drawn back home and has to face her lost love. But I liked this one. I liked that Glory has a sucky life and horrible, despicable parents but doesn't use that as an excuse to be sucky herself. She gets out of Dodge and makes something of herself. She has a couple less than proud moments caught by the paparazzi but, again, she rises above. I love that she makes a great life decision and leaves behind the fabulous but undesirable life to care for her dying sister and be with her man. I do wish they got married before shacking up and procreating but that's just the old-fashion, churchy girl that I am.
May 12, 2023
Because of the single POV in this novel, I didn’t think I was going to like this book. Over the years, my reading experience tells me that if book is not written with more than one perspective, then I’m not going to enjoy it. I literally need to be inside the characters’ minds. I don’t want to have to guess the main characters thoughts. I need to see them on the pages. So, I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed this book as much as I did. It was written in a way that I don’t often see, the author used letters from the heroine to the hero, dating back to the past at the beginning of each chapter to give me insight on the relationship they had in their younger years. So, by the time I met the characters in the present, I felt more connected. I would definitely like to read another book by this author and see if I like it just as much. I wanted to mention also that I received this book for free in a promotion. Based on the cover, I would never have purchased it. I’m a big cover junkie and I like when a book cover jumps out to me. It doesn’t have to have a half naked couple on it. It just has to be something catchy to my eyes. This one was just blah. That said, I recommend this book to readers of romance, and especially lovers of Second Chance romance.
This is my honest and unbiased review, and I thank you for taking the time to read it.
This is my honest and unbiased review, and I thank you for taking the time to read it.
July 22, 2023
This was life as a Hollywood power couple told from a bored TV celebrity in that candid, snarky tone that I like. You’d think being engaged to a movie star heartthrob would be a dream come true, but she just couldn’t stand him sometimes.
A return home to a dark, but not forgotten, past.
A letter sends Glory back home after many years. She goes from Glory Star, Hollywood TV star, to Glory Stark of Princeton, MO. She goes back everything and everyone—including a boy named Johnny, her first everything.
Glory and Johnny seemed to be thrown together a lot and it was obvious there was still something unresolved between them. If only he wasn’t seeing someone else. What happened with them all those years ago? It also turned out that Glory’s sister wasn’t doing so well with her health and the kids. Can Glory make up for not being there the last 10 years?
This story was rather interesting. It was kind of long and slow with some parts being too daunting. But, ultimately, this was a sweet story of heart and strength. I kind of liked it.
A return home to a dark, but not forgotten, past.
A letter sends Glory back home after many years. She goes from Glory Star, Hollywood TV star, to Glory Stark of Princeton, MO. She goes back everything and everyone—including a boy named Johnny, her first everything.
Glory and Johnny seemed to be thrown together a lot and it was obvious there was still something unresolved between them. If only he wasn’t seeing someone else. What happened with them all those years ago? It also turned out that Glory’s sister wasn’t doing so well with her health and the kids. Can Glory make up for not being there the last 10 years?
This story was rather interesting. It was kind of long and slow with some parts being too daunting. But, ultimately, this was a sweet story of heart and strength. I kind of liked it.
July 17, 2018
Searching for Glory
Sometimes you can go home. Glory left for Hollywood years ago. Game came and kept her there. But her past was always there in the back of her mind. She gets a letter from her former friend and the boy she left behind to come home. Her sister needed her. This is a bitter sweet story of second chances for both love and family. Her growing up was not a good one. Her parents were from hell. The only good thing about it was her sister. And Johnny. Will they be able to open up to the past and heal from the hurt? Will she go back to her life or stay and life?
Sometimes you can go home. Glory left for Hollywood years ago. Game came and kept her there. But her past was always there in the back of her mind. She gets a letter from her former friend and the boy she left behind to come home. Her sister needed her. This is a bitter sweet story of second chances for both love and family. Her growing up was not a good one. Her parents were from hell. The only good thing about it was her sister. And Johnny. Will they be able to open up to the past and heal from the hurt? Will she go back to her life or stay and life?
May 17, 2020
Enjoyable!!
I really liked how the story didn't shy away from the hard parts of life. The romance was sweet and strong, and the characters loveable. Just be aware, some triggers where the character remembers abuse and sexual violence, but the author handles them well and they were integral parts of the story background.
I really liked how the story didn't shy away from the hard parts of life. The romance was sweet and strong, and the characters loveable. Just be aware, some triggers where the character remembers abuse and sexual violence, but the author handles them well and they were integral parts of the story background.
September 25, 2017
I really enjoyed this sweet story. But, only gave it two stars because of all the four-letter words and a few other similar things that did nothing to make the overall story better. It also had some typos that were a little bit distracting.
September 23, 2018
Heart warming
What a compelling and heart warming story that this is. I loved all of the characters and the way that the story built. This is a wonderful book dealing with family love and death.
What a compelling and heart warming story that this is. I loved all of the characters and the way that the story built. This is a wonderful book dealing with family love and death.
February 18, 2019
I’d say 2.5 Stars. This wasn’t that bad but it didn’t have a lot to draw me in. The back story was interesting and I liked the family connections. There wasn’t much connection for me in the relationship.
November 10, 2022
Good
Good writing style. Flows nicely. Good characters, good story and entertaining. What a tear jerker. Sadly, the home life is too real nowadays. Probably the only thing I didn't like was the sorrowfuI part.
Good writing style. Flows nicely. Good characters, good story and entertaining. What a tear jerker. Sadly, the home life is too real nowadays. Probably the only thing I didn't like was the sorrowfuI part.
December 16, 2018
Slow at times but still not a bad read
April 26, 2019
What I enjoyed most in this book was the love between the two sisters- so giving!
January 13, 2020
Terrific book. Both happy and sad parts but a great storyline and characters. I am ready to read the next books in the series.
February 12, 2014
searching for glory is a love story written with a time tested plot - 2 soulmates who grew up together as 2 halves of a single soul are separated by circumstance and how fate throws them together and gives them a second chance.
Glory Stark is a strong, independent character who stood up to her abusive father even as a kid and whom fame and money can't corrupt. I really liked that she has spine and common sense.
for me the hero of the story is the Delroy family - a bunch of high energy kids, a mother struggling with cancer yet wanting to protect her kids,her sister and look out for them. Victory is a real heroine.
All in all, a good comfort read.
2.5/5 for this simple, clean, formula love story.
Glory Stark is a strong, independent character who stood up to her abusive father even as a kid and whom fame and money can't corrupt. I really liked that she has spine and common sense.
for me the hero of the story is the Delroy family - a bunch of high energy kids, a mother struggling with cancer yet wanting to protect her kids,her sister and look out for them. Victory is a real heroine.
All in all, a good comfort read.
2.5/5 for this simple, clean, formula love story.
September 18, 2013
As an editor, I like white space when I'm actually editing text. When it comes to reading a book however, there's little need for 1 1/2 times spacing. So, as you can tell, the formatting of this put me off pretty much straight away. But, I persisted.
The problem was, the further I got into it, the more I realised just how many times I've read this kind of plot before. The writing's fine, Hunter's style is nice, even if she does insist on odd spacing for her em-dashes and-unnecessary-hyphenation (see what I mean?) and there's enough of a hook at the beginning to draw me in. There just wasn't enough originality to it to keep me reading.
The problem was, the further I got into it, the more I realised just how many times I've read this kind of plot before. The writing's fine, Hunter's style is nice, even if she does insist on odd spacing for her em-dashes and-unnecessary-hyphenation (see what I mean?) and there's enough of a hook at the beginning to draw me in. There just wasn't enough originality to it to keep me reading.
July 21, 2014
I had just read Sweet Surrender and realized I already had this book on my Kindle as well. This book surpassed any expectations I had of Hunter J Keane a wonderful author. What a beautiful story, it brought me to tears throughout the book but I couldn't stop reading. Gloria Stark seemed to have lost herself in Los Angeles until she is called back home. Her sister is sick and has 4 kids a husband and farm to help with. She sees the love of her life Johnny still a part of her family. I love the chapters with the letters she wrote but didn't mail. I loved this book so much and definitely recommend to all you strong readers out there.
October 24, 2013
Come home
Johnny
Ten years on and that’s all it took for celebrity A-lister Glory to drop everything including her fiance and run.
Glory and Johnny were childhood sweethearts when one single act separated them. Now she's back facing her past and the man she’s never been able to forget but Johnny has another reason for sending her that message and she must also resign herself to the fact that he’s moved on.
A little too slow at times but a sweet romance with down to earth characters.
September 25, 2015
I think the author could have went more in depth with the character's feelings. Don't get me wrong I did like the book, but with something as serious as cancer, which has touched everyone's lives, I felt that the emotion just wasn't there. And they got back together so quickly, the trust was there and solid but I felt that it shouldn't have been so simple. Even with all that the author did a good job when writing the reminiscing parts and the conflict between the nieces and nephews was well written.
July 4, 2015
I sincerely enjoyed this tale of Victory and Glory.
Gloria Star has come far but returns home after receiving a letter. As the story unfolds we learn much about her and her sister Vic's childhood with past and present events seamlessly woven together.
This is a good and relaxing read with believable characters and events. This is a well rounded story not just a romance because it isn't just Glory's and Johnny's story it is her sisters too. There is plenty of room for a sequel too featuring more about Kate perhaps.
I can recommend this book as a light or holiday read.
Gloria Star has come far but returns home after receiving a letter. As the story unfolds we learn much about her and her sister Vic's childhood with past and present events seamlessly woven together.
This is a good and relaxing read with believable characters and events. This is a well rounded story not just a romance because it isn't just Glory's and Johnny's story it is her sisters too. There is plenty of room for a sequel too featuring more about Kate perhaps.
I can recommend this book as a light or holiday read.
June 12, 2016
This book was very well-written. I have no complaints. It's a wonderful story about coming home and making peace with the past in order to live in the present. Glory's past stunk...an abusive father and a mother who didn't appreciate her daughters enough to stick around. The only person who really got her was the guy who loved her. She loved him too, but I don't think she ever really owned up to it. Until now.
Love hurts when you ignore it. Love hurts when you run away from it. Coming home was the best thing she ever did!
Love hurts when you ignore it. Love hurts when you run away from it. Coming home was the best thing she ever did!
May 1, 2014
This is a true love story. I could not seem to put the book down because I really wanted to know how things turned out for Glory.
She comes home to find that her sister is dying and she is still in love with her childhood friend and high school sweetheart. You get the history woven in to the story in such a way that the story is enhanced and flows smoothly into present days. I actually shed a few tears.
She comes home to find that her sister is dying and she is still in love with her childhood friend and high school sweetheart. You get the history woven in to the story in such a way that the story is enhanced and flows smoothly into present days. I actually shed a few tears.
June 10, 2014
Wonderful way to spend a few hours
I had a hard time putting this book down. It brings you through a range of emotions all while keeping you wondering where the story will go next. The relationships are well written and you really do fall in love with the characters. My only negative thought was that some of the characters reactions to certain situations didn't feel real. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting a good weekend read.
I had a hard time putting this book down. It brings you through a range of emotions all while keeping you wondering where the story will go next. The relationships are well written and you really do fall in love with the characters. My only negative thought was that some of the characters reactions to certain situations didn't feel real. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting a good weekend read.
August 19, 2014
This book could have been longer if it went deeper into the back stories of Vic & Glory. But that is my only complaint. At first it irritated me that Johnny waited TEN YEARS for Glor to get her crap together. Then I thought about my own life and people I know. How long is too long to wait? Two hours, a week, three months, ten years, twelve? You wait as long as you need to. If it is meant to be, it will always work itself out. <3
January 21, 2016
4 and a half stars! I really enjoyed this book! Past hurts, family ties, first loves, what's not to like? I was actually surprised to see that the average rating for this book was only 3.75 (at the time of writing this review) on goodreads. Personally, I think it is under rated, so I was happy to round my rating up to 5 stars. I am only deducting half a star from my real rating because it could probably benefit from a quick read through to fix a couple of typos/errors.
March 11, 2014
I really enjoyed this contemporary romance. There's a celebrity aspect, but that is not the focus of the plot. The characters are well developed and likeable, the plot interesting, believable, well paced, and balances the happy with the sad. For those who care there is nothing too traumatic, profane, pornographic, or offensive -- that said it is not a YA novel.
April 21, 2014
Such joy and such pain
I love a good love story. This book has characters that the author took time to develop. I liked the time spent on the past thru her letters and the current time. All around good story.
New author for me. I enjoyed her writing style and look forward to more from her.
I love a good love story. This book has characters that the author took time to develop. I liked the time spent on the past thru her letters and the current time. All around good story.
New author for me. I enjoyed her writing style and look forward to more from her.
September 16, 2014
What a precious book!! More than once, I teared up...from being both happy and sad. The author's portrayal of the tender relationship between sisters was perfect. Also, I enjoyed the letters from Glory to Johnny at the end of each chapter. It was a new way to introduce flashback/backstory that I'd never thought of and helped convey the message while avoiding confusion. 5 stars!!
October 24, 2015
More, more!
From the very start I couldn't put this book down and now I want more. Heartwarming, sad and funny all in one. Loved all the characters and have a visual of them all. Like I said I want more, do Glory and Johnny get married , do they have a boy or girl? What happens to Vic's family?? I want more!!!
From the very start I couldn't put this book down and now I want more. Heartwarming, sad and funny all in one. Loved all the characters and have a visual of them all. Like I said I want more, do Glory and Johnny get married , do they have a boy or girl? What happens to Vic's family?? I want more!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews