Maisy and Max

The Unforgettables #2

by Jane O'Brien

In this magical, romantic book, the second in the series of The Unforgettables, the story of Ivy and Fox continues in contemporary times, while at the same time flashing back to previous generations of gypsies, circus performers, and vaudevillians.
In Book One of the series, Ruby and Sal, Ivy had been taking notes from her 102-year- old great grandmother in order to write a book about Ruby's life. Little did she know that while learning about secrets her great-grandmother held, Ivy would reveal mysteries that she would need to solve before moving on with her own life.
Centered around West Michigan where vaudevillians used to summer in the 1920s and 1930s, Maisy and Max is the mystical tale of a love story which is woven through a time that was filled with passionate love and agonizing trials. It then circles back to 2017 where we last left Ivy and Fox, miserable and aching for each other.
In the past, each generation has held its secrets, but Ivy's secret may be the most powerful one of all and could possibly hurt the man she loves. Unbeknownst to Ivy, Fox also has a secret of his own that he has been holding close, and once revealed, he could lose all that he holds dear.

378 pages, ebook

First published May 10, 2017

About the author

Jane O'Brien discovered her love of writing at the age of ten when she wrote her first ten-chapter book in pencil on notebook paper. She passed it around to all of her friends at school and told them she wanted to be an author. And that planted the seed.
O'Brien's career life has been varied. She was a piano teacher for over 50 years, a librarian, and a professional proofreader. She is also interested in genealogy, having worked on her own family tree, as well as her husband's, for over 40 years, which helps to color most of her novels.
Today, as a grandmother, Jane is finally fulfilling her lifelong dream, after successfully having her thirty-fifth book published, which includes two trilogies, one six-book series, three Christmas novellas, and two Amazon best-selling time slip series. She lives in West Michigan and writes romance with a little history, mystery, and family entanglements, all set in her part of the state.
The stories she weaves are about family and the intricate connections of relatives, past and present.

Reviews

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maoist and Max

Ivy wrote a book about one of her grandmother’s life. Somehow it was about a Ruby necklace. Later Ivy found that the necklace was handed down from generation to generation but it is missing now.

[cheri wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book Maisy and Max and had a good ending. Love the characters and am truly enjoying all the love stories. that this series is bringing making me want to.buy ruby and diamond necklace 🙂

[Debbie Stephens · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m hooked, love this series and how it starts a new storyline, but continues and mingles in and keeps the past story alive. Read book 2 in 1 day. Jane O’Brien, you grab my attention and interest on the first page and don’t let go. you Can’t wait to see what happens next. Another awesome series.

[Sylvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

After finishing book one, I could hardly wait to start this one! This is a set you don’t want to start in the middle as the author has carefully woven her research into a charming genealogy of a delightful tale. Each twist adds another reason to read just one more chapter. O’Brien keeps you wondering what connection or event is next.

[Janet Kessinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

The unforgetables

I rarely leave a written book review,but this series of books deserves a good word. From the first word of book one "!Ruby and Sal", I was hooked. The characters almost jump off the page as they come to life. The bumpy roads traveled by the characters give you the chance to experience all of life's highs and lows. I'm not a writer so my reviews of these books are sadly lacking, but if I can give one person the desire to read " Ruby and Sal" then they are surely to be hooked too.

[Tracy Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some parts sad but with a happy ending throw in some history, jewels, magic and true love you have a great story here. I really like that I've been to some of the places talked about in the book. They're probably not even 50 miles from me.

[Nancy Gutreich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amish and Max


Didn't like Ivy's behavior toward Fox at all when he bought the cottage. She behaved like a spoiled brat. Also calling the kid Buddy instead of Sal is stupid. It's a dog's name.

[shannon shalifoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

Looking forward to reading your next book. Being from West Michigan, I really enjoy reading about Muskegon and surrounding areas

[lois c lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read

Fantastic
You will need to have time to read the whole story very had to put lots of suspense and love

[Jena Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

The magic continues! Author O’Brien is known for crafting memorable, likeable characters. Many of them seem are ordinary regular folk, some have problems and flaws but they all leave a lasting picture in our minds. Author O’Brien also paints word descriptions of her beloved western Michigan and we can see the crimson sunsets, hear the sound of the waves and the birds, and sense the peace of the forests. The scenery and the weather are like characters, too and enrich the story for us. So, let’s get on with the story, shall we? Maisy and Max is the second book in “The Unforgettables” trilogy. While this book can stand alone and Ms. O’Brien deftly weaves in the back story, I recommend that you start with the first book in the series to get the full impact. And why not read “Ruby and Sal”? The first book was my favorite…until this book, Maisy and Max. We meet several generations in book two, starting in 1895 with Edward, a circus performer with Barnum and Bailey who has come to a crossroads in his life. He takes a walk in rainy London, where the circus stays for the winter, and stumbles into a fortuneteller’s shop. Edward is greeted by an old gypsy who unclasps a glowing ruby and diamond necklace and gives it to him- insisting that he is the rightful owner. The necklace starts the story of magic, fantasy, and enchantment. We will see that the necklace has a seductive pull on the women who wear it and their lovers, beginning with Edward and his new bride. Edward marries Clara and they eventually settle in western Michigan. They have a son Max. When Max falls in love with the charming Maisy, Edward gives Max the necklace so Max can present it as a birthday gift to Maisy. The moment the necklace touched Maisy’s neck…it pulsed its secret message and warmed her through and through. I enjoyed the enchanting descriptions of Max and Maisy’s wedding parade. As the mesmerizing story continues, we learn that the necklace seems to protect the women, but causes chaos with the men. Maisy and Max have a child, but terrible trouble comes to them. Maisy and Max make a difficult decision, which leads to the events that occurred in book 1. But even though Max and Maisy’s story ends, the necklace continues to seek and finds its rightful owner. From Maisy and Max, the necklace goes to Ruby and Sal, who we met and loved in Book 1, and eventually the necklace affects the present day, with the continuing story of Ivy and her quest for love and fulfillment. Ivy goes to a Buster Keaton movie revival at Frauenthal Theater and an odd woman with bangles and scarves slips in by her and tells her, “Do as I say child and your life will be full and happy.” Readers will be enthralled with Ivy’s journey as she seeks her future by learning more about her past. Maisy and Max has powerful love and romance, secrets, magic and enchantment, all told to us in Author O’Brien’s clear, bell-like voice. The ruby and diamond necklace brings it all together as it travels from generation to generation, seeking its rightful owner. Author O’Brien has called this series, The Unforgettables and at first I assumed that the “unforgettables” were Al Capone in the first book, and Buster Keaton in the second book. But, after finishing this beautiful Book 2, I have decided that “the unforgettables” are really people like you and me- people who want love, understanding, joy and perhaps moonlight and a dock to dance on. (N.B. Be sure to read the Author Notes at the end of the book!) Highly, highly recommend. This book is an “unforgettable” read.