Hollie Porter is the chairwoman of Generation at twenty-five years old, she’s saddled with a job she hates, a boyfriend who’s all wrong for her, and a vexing inability to say no. She’s already near her breaking point, so when one caller too many kicks the bucket during Hollie’s 911 shift, she cashes in the Sweethearts’ Spa & Stay gift certificate from her dad and heads to Revelation Cove, British Columbia. One she’s going solo. Any sweethearts will have to be found on site. Hollie hopes to find her beloved otters in the wilds of the Great White North, but instead she’s providing comic relief for staff and guests alike. Even Concierge Ryan, a former NHL star with bad knees and broken dreams, can’t stop her from stumbling from one (mis)adventure to another. Just when Hollie starts to think that a change of venue doesn’t mean a change in circumstances, the island works its charm and she starts to think she might have found the rejuvenation she so desperately desires. But then an uninvited guest crashes the party, forcing her to step out of the discomfort zone where she dwells and save the day … and maybe even herself in the process.
A native of Portland, Oregon, Eliza Gordon (a.k.a. Jennifer Sommersby) has lived up and down the West Coast of the United States. Since 2002, home has been a suburb of Vancouver, British Columbia.
When not lost in a writing project, Eliza is a copy editor, mom, wife, bibliophile, Superman freak, and the humble servant of three very spoiled tuxedo cats. Eliza writes stories to help you believe in the Happily Ever After; Jennifer Sommersby writes young adult fiction.
Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened...
Warning, reading this book will cause you to laugh histerically from beginning to end, become obsess with all things baby otter and last but not least, it will make you want to book a flight to Canada in search of charming concierge guy Ryan. You should have seen the look on my husband's face when I told him I was going to Canada, it was priceless...
Hollie is a 911 operator, she's not very happy with her job or her relationship with her boyfriend of two years, who she has nothing in common with. She's feeling lost and depressed about how her life is going, but lucky fo her, her amazing dad bought her a gift certificate for a three day stay at a five start resort in beautiful Canada. Since Hollie is obsess with Otters and all things wild life she decides to leave her troubles behind and skip town looking to find an answer to her life dilemmas, but not without dumpin her obsessive dog lover, stethoscope wearing crazy boyfriend, first.
Newly single and a bit hangover Hollie arrives in Canada and is greeted by sweet and charming Ryan, who works at the property and immediately they develop a love/hate relationship. They flirt and fight and Hollie's crazy antics will constantly get her in trouble at the Resort but Ryan is always there to save her and of course tease her too. After a few misunderstandings, and some seriously wacky events, Ryan takes Hollie on a beautiful adventure where she will find what she's looking for and much more...
From the first chapter I was laughing out loud (I will never look at an adult Batman costume the same...) so of course I was hooked, but ultimately I was enamored by Hollie and Ryan's characters and their interactions. Another thing I loved about the plot was the beautiful relationship between the heroine and her father, it reminded of my Dad and I, because he is such an important person in my life; my rock, my mentor, and I could feel how Hollie felt the same way about her father, and even though her mother abandoned her and her life was chaos, she was strong and independent because of him.
I enjoyed this whimsical story to no end, it was the perfect break from my busy life, made me swoon and laugh and I think absolutely everybody and their mothers should read it! Top ten fave for this year!!! ( I've been really lucky picking all my books lately, wooohoo!!!)
My Must Love Otters playlist: *Cups by Anna Kendick (Pitch Perfect movie soundtrack) *Sweetest Thing by U2 *Count on Me by Bruno Mars *First Day of My Life by Bright Eyes
What an idiot girl. I hated the main character, which is too bad because the other characters were good. You just want to punch Hollie throughout the book, and she only gets "redeemed" in the end because for some reason nobody ever gives up on her.
Her boyfriend is an EMT who thinks he's some sort of cross between Patrick Dempsey and George Clooney. She hates her job as a 911 operator listening to the very worst of life. And she has no idea where she wants to be...but it isn't where she is.
The thing she really loves....is otters.
So when her father gives her a gift certificate to a spa and resort in British Columbia her first thought is she can see otters.
But her boyfriend is anything but pleased with the thought of leaving his beloved Yorkshire Terriers behind.
She hates his Yorkshire Terriers.
After a bad day at work she comes home to find her boyfriend watching real-life medical procedures and finally she snaps. She kicks him to the kerb and after a night of drowning her sorrows decides to make some changes. Her first change is to head north on her own and hopefully see some otters.
On her journey north, the first person she meets is Ryan. Concierge at the resort, seaplane pilot and former professional ice-hockey player. Carrying a scruffy beard and a many times broken nose he's quite the mountain man but his gentle demeanour and friendliness immediately make her feel at home.
And then there's Roger. A successful businessman who is staying at the resort.
With two very different men vying for her attention the holiday which was an escape from the rut she's been stuck in has suddenly become very complicated.
I loved this book. I loved Hollie. I loved the otters. I loved the setting. It's so much fun. At the 50% mark I started thinking I don't want this to end, and I think I one-clicked book two not long after that. Shooting straight into my favourites.
✰✰✰✰✰'s for Must Love Otters! I never really cared much for Otters till I read this book. Goodbye, cute cat videos on youtube. Otters have replaced you! But this book isn't all about those cute little critters. It's about finding yourself: who you are, what you want to do with your life, and who you want to spend it with. (wink!) And, for Hollie Porter, it's time to make change happen for the better. There's never a dull moment in this laugh-out-loud, vivid, charming, romagical novel. (Yes, romagical. Romantic + Magical) The sacrastic humor and witty banter is really one-of-a-kind, won me over, and now I'm a big fan of Eliza Gordon. I recommend to those who like vacations, fun reads and laughing!! So basically, I recommend to everyone.
I don't know but somehow cute, quirky and funny romances just don't do as well for me as they used to. Didn't find it funny, just feels like it keeps trying to make my laugh while I sat here all stone faced and bored. I can see that other people might find it charming but not even the title saved it for me. Would be more well off reading a non fiction about otters
Hollie is at a point in her life where she is a bit lost in life. Her boyfriend is a nutcase. Her job is unfulfiling and so she takes short spa trip away where she meets Ryan.
The first half of the book was a bit slow. I didnt like the plot with Roger. I wanted the book to focus on the romance with Ryan. When it did finally kick in, I wasnt covinced by the couple's feelings for one another.
I did like this. Ryan was a sweet hero but it wasnt enough to give 4 stars. There was a few funny moments but *cries* no steam!!! This was a cute easy book if you are looking for a little escape.
I picked this book up because I was in the mood for some humour and romance. I did enjoy many of the characterizations and settings. Since I was in Victoria at the time of reading, it was cool to read about the planes leaving from the Inner Harbor.
I found many parts quite funny. Unfortunately, the authors went overboard so things that might have been funny once, lost their appeal after the third or fourth time. The main female character had a lot to recommend her but the excessive number of TSTL moments put me off.
I see a lot of potential here though and will look for other books by this writing duo.
I generally liked the book but the main character grated on my nerves. She made terrible, selfish choices and endangered Ryan's live more than once with them. I hated how she commented on his crooked nose. All in all she did not deserve him one bit. On a side note: Why did he have to be the rich & famous guy in the end? I would have liked it a whole lot better if he had stayed just a normal guy. He was sweet enough, he didn't need that turn.
3.5 stars? I think this had to be if you're in the mood for a zany romantic comedy then you will enjoy it but i was in the mood for a bit more structure. I was also so confused towards the end and as to why our heroine just left????
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review for my stop on the blog tour at Donnie Darko Girl.
MUST LOVE OTTERS came highly recommended from a friend of mine, and I'm SO glad she suggested I give this book a try. Omigod, I laughed so hard, but I had to try to hold it in because I was shaking with laughter and didn't want to wake up my husband. I contemplated reading out in the living room but didn't want to leave my warm comfy bed. I had to wipe tears away! My chest ached from attempting to keep the laughter from escaping. It was painful, lol.
It's an amazing talent to be able to convey snarky wit and humor in the manner that this husband-and-wife team, Eliza Gordon, did. They pulled it off big time. They SLAYED me. I bow down to their genius. Seriously.
In the beginning of MUST LOVE OTTERS, it was painful to read about how unhappy Hollie felt, and the way she was treated by her boyfriend, supervisor, co-workers, and even people whose emergency calls she takes at the 911 dispatch center - the ones who yell at her and don't really have emergencies. But the pain was replaced by wonderful changes Hollie makes. She has the courage to turn everything upside down in an effort to find out what she wants from life.
There were sweet, romantic moments that had me feeling so happy for Hollie. She's so relatable - I know what it feels like to be disenchanted with the way I'm living and worry that I'm settling for mediocrity rather than taking a risk for real and true happiness. The trip to Revelation Cove, Hollie's early birthday gift from her father, couldn't have come at a better time for her, and I think the name of the cove is perfect for what she went there to do. She has a huge revelation that changes her life forever.
I can't recommend MUST LOVE OTTERS enough. It's a read that will make you laugh so hard you'll feel like you've done a thousand sit-ups! Which is a terrific feeling.
I was in the mood for a funny romance. I saw that many reviewers compared the whit of the heroine to the heroines in Penny Reid's romances. I am sad to say that for me, this story just bored me to death. I see how the heroine was supposed to be seen as funny, cute, and other things, but I just found everything boring.
The narrator, Romy Nordlinger, sounded a bit old to be the voice of the heroine. The heroine is supposed to be in her 20s, but the narrator sounded more like someone in her late 40s.
At first I had no idea what was going on. The heroine is a 911 operator, she gets a call from a woman whose husband or lover died while they were playing dress-up. The man dressed up as Batman for their sex night. If it was written correctly, I would have found it funny/entertaining, but it all felt awkward.
Then the next chapter the heroine complains about her boyfriend and how he wants to have sex but he smells like Cheetos and blah, blah, blah. Then she talked/complained about her parents and what they wanted for her. it felt like a circle of nothing. "The wheels on the bus go round and round..."
This may work for you, but it did not work for me.
I absolutely freaking loved this book. So funny. Sarcastically funny, which is totally me. I could easily see this as a movie. A romantic comedy. But, sorry ladies, no detailed sex scenes in this one.
Hollie, is a 911 operator and hates her life. She has as a lame-ass boyfriend, a crotchety old take-advantage-of-hollie's-inability-to-say-no neighbour, weird-ass troll collecting co-workers who have sex in the Uni-sex bathroom at work and a goat who literally wants to kill her when she visits her dad's house. After an epiphany moment, Hollie dumps her medical-crazied-nipple-burning boyfriend and sets off to a resort in British Columbia for some much needed time away to reflect and collect. It is here she meets Rodger Dodger and concierge Ryan. In a series of hysterically funny and not-so-funny moments, Hollie finds that maybe those fairy tales that are written in romance novels can possibly come true.
Totally recommend this one, especially if you've just read something angsty and need a pick-me up.
This book should come with a warning label that reads, "Don't eat or drink while reading," if you do, you do so at your own peril. There were so many times when I found myself laughing out loud and had I been drinking my nook would have been all wet.
Hollie's life was such a hot mess, I shouldn't have laughed at her, but I couldn't help it. Hollie's actions, plus her snarky sacrastic sense of humor drew me to her. I liked how she dealt with her life. I loved when, finally fed up with her life, she started to make some changes. The first step with the drunken phone call had me laughing as Hollie over shared with Concierge Ryan.
Hollie's trip to the wild seemed to be one disaster after another, where Murphy's Law ruled her life. I loved how Hollie seemed to fit in at the resort, even amid the disasters. The action towards the end shocked me, but I loved how Hollie stepped up and did what needed to be done and how it helped her realize what she wanted, that she couldn't waste her second chance. The ending was perfect, Hollie got her HEA and found a place to fit in.
"Keith stares at me, as if I've just asked him to donate a kidney to a walrus."
Hollie is not happy at work and she's not happy at home. She's feeling pressure from her boss, her co-worker get on her nerves, she hate her boyfriend's dogs and deplore the fact her boyfriend doesn't make an effort to show interest in the things she likes. So before a complete break down, she break up with Keith and take a vacation before time to benefit from the gift her dad gave her : four days at a spa resort in Canada. There, she'll meet a rich businessman who seem eager to get to know her better and the concierge of the resort that she talked to on the phone the night before when she was drunk and who always seem to be there when she gets herself into an embarassing situation.
I stumble upon this novel when I did a search for books about otters. I wanted to like this book so much, but the heroine kept me from it. She didn't make a good first impression to me when she whined about how she hate her job as a 911 operator listening while someone just died. She seemed and sounded selfish (she complain about Keith not showing interest but did she do it for his passions, no she mocked it instead and often talk back to him in a rude way), even immature and mean sometimes (like when she told Keith's friend that everyone laugh at his tiny you-know-what behind his back) and she complained about everything. But the worst was when she had mean thoughts about Keith's dogs or when she threw pharmaceutical drugs to a goat not caring what it would do to the animal ! I knew this book is categorize as humor but it's not the kind of thing I find funny, sorry! Her temperament changed for the better when she arrived in British Columbia thank God, but the damage has already been done for me.
As for the wildlife creatures I expected to see, I can't say we didn't get to see plenty of them so yeah I'm an happy girl for that ! Just for the cute otters, it was worth the read ;p The hero also salvaged the book. I liked his laid-back, teasing attitude. But I can't help thinking the heroine should have been the one to go to him instead of the opposite at the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
So, YEAH.... mmmmhhhhhmmm. I don't know why I don't read the book blurbs better, I read so much based on the cover and the title... and here the title got me. OTTERS... what girl, old or young doesn't like the thought of otters?
I am not a fan of sappy romance novels... silly or not. BUT this one is silly, is funny, and for me, mostly dumb, but dumb in a good way, I guess. While I can't say that I hated it, I didn't. Of course, I didn't, it had otters. I did find much of it, based on the reality (about life and wildlife) as I understand it, quite..... fictional (injuries and cats). WHICH, I guess is ok, considering that it is a fiction book.
I loved the parts about the Otters, the cuteness of the story was even ok... but here you have a 911 operator who is a hot mess! BUT, I have to say that I am as you know 64, and there are still times when I want my Daddy real bad, too. So that part of the story was realistic! Ms. Gordon is really in touch with Daddy's girl feelings.
"Alas, my vacation is over. In the wilds of British Columbia, I lost some blood, I lost some fear, and I found my heart."
As I read the above live in "Must Love Otters" ---I actually started speaking to the air in the room I sat. "THANK GOD" this girl has found her heart and her vacation is over; I'm thrilled to be almost DONE with this book!
It started out cute -funny- (one great scene). The potential went down fast for me.
If people liked it--(I respect all reading pleasure). I was bored most of the time. I thought it was silly --'way' too 'chick' book for my personal taste. (I like my share of intelligent and or sometimes steamy female books) ---but this was just NOT either: not intelligent --nor steamy. Just silly!
I think I just proved I really AM more OLD fart than young fart. I can to play the 40-is the new 60 game (isn't that what people say these days?) ---but I don't think I would have enjoyed this book at age 40 either. (or 30) ---or??? hm????
I usually like quirky romantic comedy, but a couple things are essential: comedy and a likeable protagonist. This had little of either for me.
I spent most of the book disliking Hollie. She was immature, impulsive, and too often was TSTL. I truly couldn't understand how people ignored the idiocy and found it charming. While she did acknowledge her bouts of stupidity, it never seemed to stop her from finding new ways of embracing her inner moron. Just when I'd start to like her, she'd go and do something else that had me shaking my head.
Ryan was lovely and, other than his questionable taste in women, made a good romantic interest. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to make up for the numerous Hollie facepalm moments.
The book was well-written and, given how personal such things as humor are, I understand that a lot of people really found this enjoyable. It just wasn't for me.
This is one of those books that I’ve had sitting on my TBR for ages and finally pulled it out and after reading it wanted to slap myself for waiting so long!! Really enjoyable audiobook that made my commute feel short! It’s fun (really funny!) and sweet romance. It was my first book by this author, but I can’t wait to check out more! 4.5 Stars!
Hollie Porter is stuck with a life that she really doesn't want. Her job, her co-workers, her boyfriend feel all wrong. Her father gifts her a vacation, and she uses this opportunity to get away from it all. Little did she know that making a call to the Revelation Cove resort to make arrangements for her stay there would ultimately change her life on many levels.
I loved Hollie from the start. She's quirky and authentic. She has her own brand of humor, a wild imagination and has far too many misadventures, including one naked mishap...oops! I've got to give her credit for trying to take charge of her life with gusto! When romance finally comes a knocking, oh boy, does it...in the form of a handsome, green-eyed, ex-hockey star! Concierge Ryan is so charming and smooth. He will make you swoon, I promise!
I adored...completely ADORED this book! I laughed, I cried, I rooted for the heroine to find her HEA right from the beginning. One of the things that I enjoyed was Hollie's close relationship with her father, who had raised Hollie as a single dad. Eliza Gordon also did a beautiful job with the setting, painting a stunning visual in my mind, so much so, that I now want to visit British Columbia. I love otters. I really do! I've been to Monterey so many times to view them frolicking in the water. The otters in this book? It's totally worth getting to this part of the story. So cute!
If you love animals and romantic comedies, then I highly recommend MUST LOVE OTTERS! Get ready to giggle-snort several times! This story is incredibly funny, entertaining, and heartwarming. When I reached the end, I wanted to hug the hell out of my e-reader.
*A complimentary copy was provided by the author for an honest review.*
There's funny, and then there's too much funny. This book was the latter. Every single line in the book was meant to be a joke and it was too much! This book was just trying too hard and I couldn't even enjoy it. And I love funny books! But I just couldn't do this one.
3.5 rounded up for the pure entertainment value and the hilarious laugh out loud hijinks that abound in this enemies to lovers romance featuring 9-1-1 operator Hollie who takes a vacation at a remote BC resort. Hollie is tired of being the doormat at work and in her relationship and takes a trip to embrace the things she really loves - otters and all the other Canadian wildlife - they don’t all love her and many accidents ensue, along with a lot of romance with ex-hockey player Ryan who works at the resort. I loved that this was set in Canada and I’m excited to read more of Hollie’s adventures in the other books in the Revelation Cove series. Recommended for fans of Stephanie Plum and The simple wild series by KA Tucker.