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The Savvy Homes Trilogy #1
Good Bones
Nothing makes Carlee Murdoch feel more alive than when she's bringing a sad old home back to its former glory. Hammer in hand and tool belt strapped to her waist, she takes enormous pride in the work she does as a home renovator - one branch of the successful house-flipping business she owns with her two best friends in the heart of historic Savannah, Georgia. Savvy Homes is her pride and joy, and starting a new house project one summer day shouldn't feel any different than usual - except for the fact that her floor guy has just unexpectedly quit and she's faced with his irritating - and irritatingly attractive - swift replacement.
Josh Winters hasn't been in Savannah long, but he has a feeling he could settle in easily enough - especially as he snags a job as a handy-man with Savvy Homes. The only problem is, his boss has a way of making him feel like he doesn't know up from down, and he's never felt unsteady around a woman in all his life. Carlee's a puzzle he's decided he just might like to figure out, and certainly a challenge that gets his blood roiling. But he needs to make this job work one way or another, so he can finally prove that he can make something of himself after years of falling short.
As Carlee has learned over the years as a home renovation expert, even the best laid plans don't always work out the way you'd expect. Josh has no problem getting under her skin, and yet the closer they work together, the more she finds she just might not be able to resist the charms that simmer deep beneath his frustrating surface. But the temptation she fights against is matched by the strain of certain family relationships, the meddling of her best friends, and even a few ghostly spirits who lurk around America's most haunted city. Will it be just another hard-working summer for Carlee, or finally time to build a solid foundation for her own future?
Josh Winters hasn't been in Savannah long, but he has a feeling he could settle in easily enough - especially as he snags a job as a handy-man with Savvy Homes. The only problem is, his boss has a way of making him feel like he doesn't know up from down, and he's never felt unsteady around a woman in all his life. Carlee's a puzzle he's decided he just might like to figure out, and certainly a challenge that gets his blood roiling. But he needs to make this job work one way or another, so he can finally prove that he can make something of himself after years of falling short.
As Carlee has learned over the years as a home renovation expert, even the best laid plans don't always work out the way you'd expect. Josh has no problem getting under her skin, and yet the closer they work together, the more she finds she just might not be able to resist the charms that simmer deep beneath his frustrating surface. But the temptation she fights against is matched by the strain of certain family relationships, the meddling of her best friends, and even a few ghostly spirits who lurk around America's most haunted city. Will it be just another hard-working summer for Carlee, or finally time to build a solid foundation for her own future?
339 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 10, 2022
4 people are currently reading
914 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Kline
5 books41 followersEver since I could hold a pencil, I've dreamed about being a published author.
In 2011, I started a blog and website called The Tudor Enthusiast, where I write about the people, places, and events that make up the fascinating world of sixteenth-century England (and if that sounds like something you might be interested in, you can check it out at www.thetudorenthusiast.weebly.com).
I grew up in Northern Virginia, and still call this beautiful part of the world home. I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from George Mason University, and a Master of Studies in Modern British and European History degree from Mansfield College, University of Oxford. When I'm not writing, I'm either working (yes, I have a day job), cuddling up with a book, or spending time with my husband and two young children.
Follow me on social media: "Stephanie Kline Author"
In 2011, I started a blog and website called The Tudor Enthusiast, where I write about the people, places, and events that make up the fascinating world of sixteenth-century England (and if that sounds like something you might be interested in, you can check it out at www.thetudorenthusiast.weebly.com).
I grew up in Northern Virginia, and still call this beautiful part of the world home. I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from George Mason University, and a Master of Studies in Modern British and European History degree from Mansfield College, University of Oxford. When I'm not writing, I'm either working (yes, I have a day job), cuddling up with a book, or spending time with my husband and two young children.
Follow me on social media: "Stephanie Kline Author"
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 25, 2022
It pains me to write this review because I thought the premise of this book was very appealing! The main character, Caylee, runs a business buying, restoring, and selling historical homes with two friends. She runs the construction side of the business and becomes involved with one of her trades. She and her love interest have some baggage to deal with if their relationship is going to flourish. Their close friends and Caylee’s step father are appealing secondary characters.
Unfortunately, there are some missteps when it comes to execution. There are numerous errors in spelling and word usage which become distracting. There is some subtle racism (use of the word gypsy, once for someone from Rhode Island, which has a large Portuguese population). The times the main character has a good appetite, she’s described as manly. (Many of us have been conditioned to think this way and it’s unfortunate.) A woman’s appearance is also compared to a dog’s at one point and it lands as hateful.
There are some issues with how the work of home restoration/renovation is described, but they wouldn’t jump out at you if you haven’t done the work or gone through it. For me, that was hard to get past. If you love HGTV, you’ll probably find the home renovation aspect entertaining!
Unfortunately, there are some missteps when it comes to execution. There are numerous errors in spelling and word usage which become distracting. There is some subtle racism (use of the word gypsy, once for someone from Rhode Island, which has a large Portuguese population). The times the main character has a good appetite, she’s described as manly. (Many of us have been conditioned to think this way and it’s unfortunate.) A woman’s appearance is also compared to a dog’s at one point and it lands as hateful.
There are some issues with how the work of home restoration/renovation is described, but they wouldn’t jump out at you if you haven’t done the work or gone through it. For me, that was hard to get past. If you love HGTV, you’ll probably find the home renovation aspect entertaining!
July 31, 2022
Carlee Murdoch runs a successful home renovation business - buying, restoring, and selling historical homes - with her two best friends in Savannah, Georgia. She manages and works the construction side of the business, which is where she meets and hires Josh Winters for her crew. Though not immediately, sparks begin to fly; they try to avoid a relationship, each for their own reasons, but eventually they begin dating. Because both of them have issues from their past that still need to be resolved, they must overcome these to move forward.
This was the first book I have read by this author, but not the last. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and looked forward to the sequel. I liked the characters and thought they were believable, and the storyline was engaging on many different levels - romance, parent/child, step-parent, co-workers, and friends. I appreciated the varied dimensions. I was disappointed the story didn't finalize some pieces in the storyline, however, most specifically the "ghost" in the last house they were renovating and the suspicious death of Carlee's stepmother. I felt these details were left dangling (maybe the author is going to address them in her next book?).
I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the author - independent publisher, so I could give an honest review of this book. #stephaniekline , #Goodbones #goodreads
This was the first book I have read by this author, but not the last. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and looked forward to the sequel. I liked the characters and thought they were believable, and the storyline was engaging on many different levels - romance, parent/child, step-parent, co-workers, and friends. I appreciated the varied dimensions. I was disappointed the story didn't finalize some pieces in the storyline, however, most specifically the "ghost" in the last house they were renovating and the suspicious death of Carlee's stepmother. I felt these details were left dangling (maybe the author is going to address them in her next book?).
I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the author - independent publisher, so I could give an honest review of this book. #stephaniekline , #Goodbones #goodreads
July 23, 2022
I was thankful to receive a copy from Goodreads. I enjoyed the story and like an old home, it has good bones. Cons: 1. switching characters is jarring with no notion that we are reading from a different character 2. many storylines were left wide open and come to the book late. Pros: good characters, and development 2. I want to read the next couple of books.
August 5, 2022
I really liked this story. Some surprises and great characters. I won this on Goodreads and I am planning on getting the next book.
March 8, 2023
This book had a little bit of everything...love, Southern charm, historical houses, scandal, and ghosts. I loved it and definitely want to read more of Stephanie's books.
May 17, 2022
Loved this book! Can’t wait for books 2. The characters were very relatable and Stephanie captured them so well.
May 1, 2023
A great start to a series of mystery and romance
I loved the multiple story lines and look forward to seeing how book 2 develops!!
If you like romance, ghosts and murder mystery, then you should check this book out!
I loved the multiple story lines and look forward to seeing how book 2 develops!!
If you like romance, ghosts and murder mystery, then you should check this book out!
March 14, 2023
Questions
First off I want to say that I WON this book off of the Goodreads giveaways. I enjoyed reading about Carlee and Josh's story. But the secret about one of them could tear them apart.
First off I want to say that I WON this book off of the Goodreads giveaways. I enjoyed reading about Carlee and Josh's story. But the secret about one of them could tear them apart.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews