Great Bones

by Lynn Ames

Rachel Wallach has a great life—on paper. Millions of people fall in love with her words every day. Her greeting card sentiments are the stuff of legend in the industry. And yet ... and yet she couldn’t find the right girl if you stuffed her into a Subaru full of lesbians.
Her overbearing mother and obnoxiously perfect siblings, with whom she shares Shabbat dinner every Friday, only want to know when she's going to get a "real" job and a life. Then her elderly neighbor suffers a catastrophic health crisis, leaving canine-phobic Rachel holding the leash.
Julia Spielman's grandmother, Ida, a matchmaker descended from a long line of matchmakers, has just moved into the Shady Acres Assisted Living Community where she happily renews her friendship with Rachel's Grandma Goldie. When Goldie learns that Julia runs a successful online dating service, it seems too good to be true.
So, let’s see. We have Rachel's deaf-as-a-post grandmother, her grandmother’s clever, scheming match-making friend, and a mutt named Freud, all hell-bent on "helping" Rachel with her love life—what could possibly go wrong?

Genre: Romance/Comedy/Humor

Genres: Romance, Lesbian, LGBT, Rom Com, Queer, Femme Femme, Comedy

274 pages, Paperback

Published March 27, 2018

About the author

Lynn Ames is the best-selling author of sixteen books. She also is the writer/director/producer of the history-making documentary, “Extra Innings.” This historically important documentary chronicles, for the first time ever in her own words, the real-life story of Hall-of-Famer Dot Wilkinson and the heyday of women’s softball.

Lynn’s fiction has garnered her a multitude of awards and honors, including six Goldie awards, the coveted Ann Bannon Popular Fiction Award (for All That Lies Within), the Alice B. Medal for Lifetime Achievement, and the Arizona Book Award for Best Gay/Lesbian book. Lynn is a two-time Lambda Literary Award (Lammy) finalist, a Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Award finalist, a Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards Honorable Mention winner, and winner of several Rainbow Reader Awards.

Ms. Ames is the founder of Phoenix Rising Press. She is also a former press secretary to the New York state senate minority leader and spokesperson for the nation’s third-largest prison system. For more than half a decade, she was an award-winning broadcast journalist. She has been editor of a critically acclaimed national magazine and a nationally recognized speaker and public relations professional with a particular expertise in image, crisis communications planning, and crisis management.

For additional information please visit her website at www.lynnames.com, or e-mail her at lynnamesauthor@gmail.com. You can also friend Lynn on Facebook and follow her on, YouTube, and Instagram.

Reviews

[Alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Fran Drescher!

The plot. Greeting card writer Rachel Wallach's world turns upside down when she falls victim to her meddling grandmother who, unbeknownst to her, gets her a matchmaker who just happens to be really attractive. As if life wasn't complicated enough she now also finds herself caring for her neighbor's 'terrifying' dog.

The characters. Despite all of the characters being likable, I often wondered whether Rachel and Julia were the MCs or if Goldie and Ida were. Part of me honestly wants to try and find out who had more dialogue between the two sets of women.

The writing. Again, thanks Fran. If I hadn't watched every single episode of The Nanny several times over the years, there's no way I would have gotten through this book without muttering the words "the hell does that mean?" Honestly, I'm plotzing with nachas at myself.

The special. The book had its humorous moments but that's about it. My favorite character turned out to be Freud, a golden retriever and husky mix. To be fair though, anything that involves a golden retriever will automatically get my stamp of approval.

The negative. Sadly I wasn't feeling the chemistry at all between Julia and Rachel simply because they had very few moments of interaction. Adding to that was the insta love ending that had me cringing at the cheesiness of it all. I'm probably far too jaded for this book right now.

The verdict. A super sweet story suited for the hopeless romantics among us. If you're looking for something with any heat at all, keep looking because this wouldn't even get a PG-13 rating. There wasn't even anything to fade to black to. Overall 2.75* rating for this one.

[Tinything · Rating 5 out of 5]

was it the book or was it actually just me that read this book that make me kind of emotional? Definitely my mood! I think.

Well, dont get me wrong. I love this book. This book is funny. Hilarious even (from my point of view). I laugh alots. God, I feel like i havent read this kind of book for so long. But at the same time, for some unknown reason, like i asked myself above, it made me cried as well (from the sad things that happened and the heartwarming that happened in this book). I felt empathy for what Rachel was going through, about her family and the things that happened.

Now to the main parts! This book is hilarious, funny, cute and adorable. And of course, there were two meddling grandmas who want to help their grandaughter. And a dog named Freud! He is such an adorable dog. I think i was really enjoyed Rachel’s times with Freud. And reading this book also made me want to have a dog as well. I love them all. I think Rachel is the kind of girl that happened to be at the wrong place and at the wrong time. That was why her dating life kind of bad.

The romance between the main characters, it kind of happened late. I’m not sure if it is the main focus in this book, because they started get to know each other around 60% mark of the book and onward. I didnt found them interact with each other much, so their chemistry kind of not on the top notch either. I found myself really enjoy the first 60% of the book so much. I enjoyed the remain 40% as well but not as much you know. And their romance, frankly, moving quite fast. Too fast i think.

Even this book made me shed some tears, and the romance between two main characters happened quite late in the book; Rachel, the two grandmas, the dog, and the hilarious and adorable things that happened, they did kind of make up for it all, for me. I love this book and enjoyed it alots :)

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Bones is a super easy read. It’s warm and lighthearted, with plenty of silliness scattered throughout. The characters still have interesting arcs (especially Rachel), ensuring the story doesn’t end up being saccharine or shallow.

Full review: https://www.thelesbianreview.com/grea...

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ I love mushy, well thought, nicely written romances. I’m a mushy loving woman and I love fluffy romances, especially involving funny, sensitive, smart characters. And this book hit the spot for me.

When I stop fangirlig I’ll write a full review.

REVIEW

First of all. Freud, my love. He's so adorable and cute, and I want to hug him. I have never had a traumatic experience with dogs. Never. BUT I have the same fear(?), that Rachel has, or something similar. They are beautiful and loyal and everything that cats are not, and I loved them so much (except chihuahuas, those look like rats) but from afar ... and belonging to someone else. Like kids. I could understand her fear, and taking care of him in spite that? Best person ever. It takes courage.

What Julia did was wrong. Just WRONG. BUT it's a romance book, totally inappropriate behavior is expected and allowed, but stalking someone else? super creepy, the online thing, refering women to Rachel profile less creepy, but, still wrong. That said, it did work for the book and the obligatory drama every romantic comedy must have. I mean, a nice, old lady ask for her help to help her grandaughter, what could she do?!

I found Rachel's bad luck on dates endearing and kind of relatable. She's clumsy, not really big on human interaction and some people are assholes.

I liked it A LOT, I couldn't sleep because I was engrossed in it, I had to finished it. So If you're looking for a nice, easy, fun, reading for the weekend, I highly recommend this.

[Heinerway · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is certainly a fun, easy read, with not only two main characters, but four including their grandmas. If you like romantic comedies, you'll like this story.

[Angie Engles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lynn Ames is a top-notch writer and her novel All That Lies Within is one of my favorite books, ever. Great Bones is a cute and sweet read, but something feels missing and I just really wanted more chemistry between the two leads and for the characters to have met sooner and had more time together and less interactions with their grandmas. Don't get me wrong, both grandmas are sweet and feisty and lovable and the family dynamics on both sides are all too uncomfortably familiar, but at times it takes away from the bigger picture. One huge plus: Freud is a dog anyone would be proud to have in their family and his appearances with the story are smile-inducing. The main character's devotion to him and her loyalty and kindness to her neighbor makes her someone you want to see get a happy ending.

[Starsandsun18 · Rating 4 out of 5]

It could’ve been a 5 if there’s more romance.
This is a definition of a slow burn. Like literally.
Actually, I consider this as more of a friendship kind of book than romance.
Friendship between two awesome grandmothers who loves their granddaughters. It’s kind of funny and cute.
So, if you’re looking for romance well you have to be really patient because it doesn’t happen until the end of the book.
But if you’re just looking for a nice well written with meddling grannys I think you should give this a try.
And oh their Jewish. I had to goggle a few words.
There’s a cute dog named Freud.
3.75

[IanWAA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very lovely book, but it one of those books where I liked the first half more because the end felt really rushed if you have such a good start.

Rachel has problems interacting with people she is very introverted and has a really big heart. I really liked the journey Rachel took to get out of her get out of her shell.

Both MC have massive problems with their parents, Jules get somewhat resolved but Rachels are kind of left hanging to dry and don't get resolved hat all.

My biggest beef is that apparently the entire story line must occurs within several months otherwise I really can't see Rachel overcoming any of here issues but this isn't properly conveyed to the reader.

[K. Aten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Bones by Lynn Ames

4.25 A cast of characters that will make you laugh and cry

I first heard of Great Bones by Lynn Ames while attending GCLS in Las Vegas this year. I was lucky enough to attend her reading of the book, and to be able to record it to share with others. It was very different from the only other book I’d previously read by Ames. To this day, All That Lies Within remains one of my few absolute favorites.

One of the things that drew me into her newest romantic comedy was the way that Lynn Ames herself read from the book. The scene about the Jewish grandmothers stalking their granddaughters in the diner, it was pure gold. Even as I read through it on my own I couldn’t help but read their voices as spoken by Lynne. And I’ll be the first to admit that the Goldie and Ida for sure made the book the success that it was. I would almost hazard to say they were the main characters as much as the granddaughters, Rachel and Julia. Ames has a style of writing that is very easy to follow and makes you fall in love with her characters, even the elderly ones and the canine ones. Freud was a big dopey sweetheart. (No, I’m not crackers, read the book) The editing was tight and despite the liberal use of Jewish words and sayings, I never once felt confused.

One thing to note is that I did feel like there could have been a little more development between Rachel and Julia before the full emotional confessions took place. But that didn’t stop me from enjoying the love when it came, coerced by…er, confessed TO the grandmothers. But I guess you’ll have to read it yourself to see what I mean. It was definitely good for some sweet feels, a healthy amount of laughter, and well worth the time it took me to read it. Check it out, and when you’re done, go and read her other book mentioned above. Especially if you like celebrity romance and/or mysterious twists.

Thanks for trying a new genre, Lynn Ames, it was much appreciated!

This ARC was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

[Yahli Rot · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.3 stars
It's a great book with good plot and characters.
I won't give it 5 stars because the end felt a bit over-dramatic and cliché. Not in a bad way, just not exactly my favourite thing in books.
Over all it's a sweet romance that's worth your time.

[Velvet Lounger · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Grandma Goldie Horowitz wants to help her granddaughter find a girlfriend she naturally turns to Ida Pinsky, shadchan, lifelong friend and fellow resident at Shady Acres Assisted Living Community. Ida, in turn, points Goldie toward her own granddaughter, Julia, who runs an online dating service in her spare time. Rachel, the object of all this scheming, is a die-hard romantic who earns her living writing greeting card sentiments. Her therapist wants her to get out there and stop hiding behind her insecurities, but every date turns into a disaster that reinforces her self-image as a hopeless klutz. Can Julia find her the perfect match? Will Goldie and Ida get caught escaping Shady Acres, or barred from Melvin’s Diner for loitering? Or will fate take a hand and bring both Rachel and Julia their hearts desire?

Lynn Ames’ thirteenth book is a departure from her previous romances and thrillers as she takes a step, or rather a shove, into romantic comedy; it’s always dangerous having pushy friends. Needless to say, this romp through the shenanigans of a pair of New York Jewish Grandmothers and their adorable, if damaged, grand-daughters is a huge success.

Rachel and Julia are loveable, complex and moderately tortured souls whose overbearing mothers have twisted into self-depreciating knots with their expectations. With seemingly perfect siblings in finance and medicine, Rachel can never convince her mother that she has a real job and can afford to eat, let alone that she’s at the top of her profession. Julia’s pompous parents care more for their social standing than their relationship with their daughter and quite possibly believe Julia will go to hell for being gay, if they believed in hell.

With the help of her slightly bumbling sidekick Ida, a traditional matchmaker, Goldie pretty much steals the show. Her adorable plotting that always slightly backfires, her feigned deafness and memory loss to escape her daughter’s house, illicit trips out in her cascade-blue 1972 Buick Electra Deuce-and-a-Quarter to the movies and the diner for chocolate malt; she is the perfect grandma with a naughty streak.

Add into the mix the adorable fluffy golden retriever/Siberian husky mix Freud and we have a classic ensemble piece that will simply make you smile. Yes there’s a little angst with the stressed family relationships and the “will they won’t they” romance, but without some angst what would a Jewish Grandmother have to worry about? Overall the whole is suffused with love, light, and affection.

Extremely well executed as always, the writing flows, the reading is effortless and the characters reach right out and touch your heart. Lynn Ames has hit another home run with this one, it’s taken a while but it’s definitely been worth the wait.

[Susanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read over a quiet weekend.

[Evren (Nonbinary Knight Reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The biggest compliment I can give this book is the thought that ran through my head through most of it: this book reads like a romantic comedy.

This book is cheesy and sweet and fluffy. The characters are likeable and manage to get themselves into funny, and sometimes painful, situations. The supporting characters are sneaky in their attempts to pair the two leads together. There’s no big outside force that’s trying to force the two apart.

I instantly liked Rachel as a character. She works as a greeting card writer and she’s apparently great at her job. What started as something for her thesis turned into a labor of love and she excels at it. She’s not without her flaws however as she has some self-esteem issues that lead to a negative outlook on her love life. She also somehow manages to get herself into some pretty ridiculous situations. Julia is a juror consultant who also works as a matchmaker on the side for a website. She’s an interesting character and I was very happy with how she was portrayed. She has family issues of her own but thankfully they don’t take up too much story time. Julia is hired by Rachel’s grandmother to find her a match and what follows is a beautiful comedy of errors with an amazing finish.

Two grandmothers and a dog make up the main side characters. Rachel’s grandmother and Julia’s grandmother have known each other since they were kids and when they wind up in the same care home trouble is sure to follow. The two grandmothers were amazing characters. They each have their minor flaws and problems but they main thing is that they love their granddaughter’s unconditionally and want them to be happy. Freud the dog is adorable and so sweet with dog-fearing Rachel.

I don’t know if there was a single moment of this book that I didn’t enjoy. I might be able to gush about it for a while. If you want something that is full of love and mistakes but manages to avoid any serious drama, read this book.

[susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet and cute

This was a very delightful book that I could not put down. I read as slow as I could. I laughed out loud and teared up a few times. Made me miss my grandmother and thanked the good Lord I have the family I have. I was glad to see love won out at the end. I definitely recommend this book.

[Susan T Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not her best

I gave 4 stars for excellent editing. While the bubbes were hilarious, they weren't enough to make this book one i would reread, or even recommend. Kinda fell flat. I've read many of Ames' books, and loved them. This one..meh

[Nolly Frances Sepulveda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun Read

I thought this was a wonderfully written book. It was so many sentiments in one and I thought the main and secondary characters were hilarious in their interactions. Goldie and Ida are loving grandmothers who are just too funny and meddlesome but make the story that much warmer. Rachel and Julia have their own crazy family dynamics going on but remain sweet caring women who are looking for their one chance for love. I think this story gives them that. I would recommend this book if you looking for fun and love.

[Meredith Burgess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two meddling Jewish grandmothers work together, against age constraints, to try and find happiness for their respective Grand daughters (Julia and Rachel). This story contains cracking one liners and many humorous moments that caused me to laugh out loud many times. At the same time, it deals with many heart wrenching issues that while feeling the love between the characters, had me in tears.
The main characters are believable, Rachel and Julia are well developed and I felt myself rooting for them to find their happy ever after. Their journey is not without problems, misunderstandings, moral dilemmas and phobias. Lynn Ames handles each adventure with care, sensitivity and where appropriate humour. The supporting characters are lovable and add value to the story.
This story is very well edited and reaches the usual high standard we have come to expect from this author.
I really enjoyed this 5* story and it is a definite re-read for me. I enjoyed the dialogue between the characters, the spot on humour in the story and how it made me feel and the love story that developed. I enjoyed how Rachel was able to overcome her phobia, and how Julia was able to come to terms with her moral dilemma.

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a heartwarming story!

I loved every word of this beautiful story! I laughed and I felt like crying at different times in the story. Rachel is such a sweetheart! Her quirky personality and her clumsy mishaps have endeared her to me. Julia also stole my heart with her fun loving, considerate and selfless nature. But I've just got to love Goldie and Ida, these women are phenomenal!

[Darlene Vendegna · Rating 5 out of 5]

SLURRRRP! That slurping sound you hear is the sound of me spending a few hours on Sunday reading this book. It's a delightful little romantic comedy, that hits a few of my favorite check points. Fun and believable characters that I rooted for, with interesting professions, by the way, that I had not previously seen represented in a romcom, a very cute dog, and situations in their lives completely separate from the romance element, oh and cute doting grandmas who don't take crap from anybody. (I didn't even know that was on my checklist, but boy was it fun). THEY are the unwitting (at first) instigators of this romance. When Golda asks her old friend Ida for help finding a match for her lesbian granddaughter, Ida says she's out of the 'business' but her own granddaughter runs a dating service called 'dorothy something'. Immediately we know how this is gonna play out, but the journey is the point right? Let me just say that there is absolutely NO sex in this book, just a lot of very sweet, authentic attraction and chemistry. That is FINE with me, the story truly did not need it to sell the connection, and when they finally DO kiss it's a perfect ending to a delightful story. This is the sort of romance that I would happily recommend to ANYBODY, because I wouldn't feel shy about how they'd feel about sex scenes and the hijinks and conversations involving the Bubbe's are half the fun.

[IndigoIris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Bones had so much light-hearted sweetness! The main characters, all four of them, were wonderful. I think the grandmothers stole the show because the story revolves around their attempts to bring the two granddaughters together. I laughed a lot and Freud is like a cherry on top of a lovely ice cream sundae of a story.

Unfortunately, the story felt much more like the story of the grandmothers. That, along with two women professing lifelong love for one another before they even share their first kiss felt a bit unrealistic.

I love a good romance but with all of it's high points, the relationship simply didn't develop for me. And the end felt, not so much rushed as over done.

Still lots to love about this one and I hope Ames does more humor because it had some real laugh out loud moments.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a fun, laugh out loud kind of read. The Main Characters are two love lorn women, Rachel, a greeting card sentiment writer, the other Julia, a Jury Consultant and part time matchmaker. They are the grandchildren of two best friends, living in an Assisted Living facility. Goldie and Ida, are just a hoot and meddlesome as can be, however what they do always come from love. The fact they are written from a Jewish perspective makes it more of a personal story for me and that more enjoyable. The vignettes involving all the characters were funny and poignant and I looked forward to seeing their HEA story. I like Lynn Ames as an author and plan to read many more. Just a happy Rom Com story.

[Brooke Daniels · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has great Jewish representation, which code switching and wording. However, the author used the word "sabbath" consistently throughout the book and didn't say Shabbat or Shabbos at all, to my knowledge. Most American Jews do not say the English word sabbath. One of the Jewish characters also said something about may her husband rest in peace, and Jews don't say rest in peace either. Other than those two things, it was amazing representation.

The story had no spice, it was fade to black. It was a delightful read

[Mirielen de Arantes Corrêa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romance muito fofo, muito estilo rom-com de sessão da tarde. As personagens são cativantes, tanto a Rachel e Julia, quanto as avós delas, Goldie e Ida. As senhorinhas sendo duas melhores amigas abusadas e sem limites tudo pra mim.É beeeeeeem slow-burn, mas isso é ótimo (pelo menos pra mim que amo esse tipo). A escrita me lembra mais uma estrutura de roteiro, com poucas indicações de ação e extremamente diretas. Mas nada que atrapalhe muito a fluidez da história.

[Taka · Rating 3 out of 5]

While Rachel and Julia were supposed to be the main characters of this novel, I like their grandmothers interactions more.

Story has a slow start and just when I was wondering how are both of them going to fall for each other...it happened.

I like the humor in this book and will continue to read others. 3.5 stars

[Pinkdturtle tina · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book bored me from about halfway in, everything just felt so long winded! I could skip a few pages and it’d be the exact same conversation still going.
One particular part had me in stitches, comedy is great.
A very slow burner, if you like exciting, stimulating books this ain’t it. Reminds me a bit of a mills and boon book.

[Katherine Reiter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice romance, leaned a little too hard on the miscommunication plot device for my taste, and I have mixed feelings about the cop character who popped up right at the end, but the main characters were very cute and I loved when Ida told off her homophobic son and daughter-in-law. Wholesome

[Michelle Schuler]

Great bones

Lynn Ames is a fabulous writer. This books has it all. Chemistry. Humor. Love. Dedication. I love the way this author writes and you can feel her dedication in every word. I will look forward to more books by this author.

[joanne p brower · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

Great job..the story line and characters are so well written. I really enjoyed the dialogue between them. Thanks for sharing this terrific story.

[Doug Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

According to the acknowledgements Ann McMan urged Ms. Ames to write a romantic comedy on the grounds that she would be great at it. She was right.

[C.J. Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful humor. Goldie and Ida steal the show as the plot and plan. Several laugh out loud moments. Well done!