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Too Much of a Good Thing
From the acclaimed author of Something Real and Original Love comes a tender, witty, and sexy tale of two very different souls whose prayers are answered in surprising ways . . . When recently widowed Joe Murphy "meets" Shawna Mitchell in an online forum, all he's seeking is advice on keeping his home and his family together. Shawna's compassionate e-mails become his lifeline, and as months pass their correspondence grows deep and warm. Discovering that Shawna lives only blocks away . . . well, it feels like more than luck. It feels a lot like hope. With three children to raise, Shawna has no interest in getting close to another man, let alone one who's got three kids of his own. And the fact that Joe's white can only complicate matters more. But now, as they navigate family dates and vacations and their own doubts and fears, Joe and Shawna find themselves moving toward a future that's bright, new, and totally unexpected. Because the only thing more difficult than uniting two stubborn families would be walking away from something that feels so right . . .
363 pages, Paperback
First published January 24, 2009
29 people are currently reading
335 people want to read
About the author
J.J. Murray
48 books340 followersProlific novelist J. J. Murray writes BWWM romance novels in all genres. He lives with his amazing, talented, and creative wife Kimberlee and their precocious son Steven in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
July 20, 2016
This is the love journey and might I say the modern love Journey of Shawna and Joe. This is also an interracial love story These two God-fearing Christians meet online. Of all places a grief blog that Shawna starts to help her heal from the loss of her husband. This blog turns out to be a godsend for a widower. (Joe) while Shawnas been without her husband for eight years and she's coping barely. She has three children and as I said she's coping by writing this blog. Unbeknownst to her there is also someone who is hurting he lost his wife two years ago. He also has three children and happens to live in the same city as Shawna. These two unlikely pair meet online and actually fall in love. That was the easy part on the hard part comes later trying to mesh these two families together all the while trying to do this with God first. And family second This is definitely a funny tale actually laugh out loud type story. And then other times you need to take out your Hankie. This was definitely a believable story. The only reason I didn't give it a five star is because The storyline regarding Shawna's eldest daughter was not finished. Overall it was a really good story and I recommended to you. <3 P.S. THIS IS S HEA ENDING.
May 22, 2017
This was actually a good book even though it took me a couple days to finish it. But I did enjoy it. Makes me want to read more books by this author. And the ending part with the baby had me smiling. I was happy that Crystal finally came around and started liking Joe.
March 26, 2010
Shawna Mitchell’s husband Rodney died from colon cancer eight years ago, leaving her with two children and one on the way. For eight years she’s been the superwoman that all single mothers must be.
Joe Murphy’s wife Cheryl died from breast cancer six months ago. He never appreciated her as much in life as he does after her death. She was the glue that held the family together. Since her death, the children have been simmering in their grief and Joe’s overwhelmed.
Coping with the lost of his wife and the children he once knew, Joe turns to the internet with one short heartfelt cry for prayer on the LivingWithDeath.com website.
Shawna, who feels led by God to help others through what she’s been through via the website, answers his letter with a simple, “I’ll pray for you” and a suggestion that they have a family meeting.
From that one simple request Shawna and Joe discover how to let go and let God reign over their lives.
“Too Much Of A Good Thing” is a sweet, and I don’t mean as in “cutesy,” inspirational romance from the one and only Mr. J.J. Murray.
Mr. Murray takes us on a journey of how grief can effect a family not only immediately after the death of a loved one, as shown through Joe’s eyes and his children’s reaction to his decision to move on with his life sooner, rather than later. But years later, as Shawna tells her children that she’s fallen in love with a man she’s met online and her eldest child, Crystal, the ultimate Daddy’s girl, announces that she’d rather move out than see her Mother with another man.
He then goes on to explore the blending of families. How to blend them, and blend them well. How the parents, children and even the extended families have to learn to compromise and explore the world outside of their comfort zone on each and every level of their lives.
Joe and Shawna were truly the guy and girl next door who lived in a culturally diverse neighborhood so similar to my own, that I’m tempted to take a walk up the street. And for the first time ever, I read a book that featured children, rather than adults as major secondary characters and I absolutely loved them, understood their pain and celebrated their successes.
But having said all that, I’m sure what you really want to know is that I enjoyed “Too Much Of A Good Thing” immensely. It frequently left me in tears. Tears brought on not by sadness, but because of the sweet beauty of the words on the page before me. You know what I mean. As you’re reading the words before you, you smile and sniff, put your hand to your chest briefly and say, “Ooh…,” then grab a tissue before the tear hits the page. Yeah…it was THAT good.
Joe Murphy’s wife Cheryl died from breast cancer six months ago. He never appreciated her as much in life as he does after her death. She was the glue that held the family together. Since her death, the children have been simmering in their grief and Joe’s overwhelmed.
Coping with the lost of his wife and the children he once knew, Joe turns to the internet with one short heartfelt cry for prayer on the LivingWithDeath.com website.
Shawna, who feels led by God to help others through what she’s been through via the website, answers his letter with a simple, “I’ll pray for you” and a suggestion that they have a family meeting.
From that one simple request Shawna and Joe discover how to let go and let God reign over their lives.
“Too Much Of A Good Thing” is a sweet, and I don’t mean as in “cutesy,” inspirational romance from the one and only Mr. J.J. Murray.
Mr. Murray takes us on a journey of how grief can effect a family not only immediately after the death of a loved one, as shown through Joe’s eyes and his children’s reaction to his decision to move on with his life sooner, rather than later. But years later, as Shawna tells her children that she’s fallen in love with a man she’s met online and her eldest child, Crystal, the ultimate Daddy’s girl, announces that she’d rather move out than see her Mother with another man.
He then goes on to explore the blending of families. How to blend them, and blend them well. How the parents, children and even the extended families have to learn to compromise and explore the world outside of their comfort zone on each and every level of their lives.
Joe and Shawna were truly the guy and girl next door who lived in a culturally diverse neighborhood so similar to my own, that I’m tempted to take a walk up the street. And for the first time ever, I read a book that featured children, rather than adults as major secondary characters and I absolutely loved them, understood their pain and celebrated their successes.
But having said all that, I’m sure what you really want to know is that I enjoyed “Too Much Of A Good Thing” immensely. It frequently left me in tears. Tears brought on not by sadness, but because of the sweet beauty of the words on the page before me. You know what I mean. As you’re reading the words before you, you smile and sniff, put your hand to your chest briefly and say, “Ooh…,” then grab a tissue before the tear hits the page. Yeah…it was THAT good.
December 25, 2010
I believe that God only recognizes 2 races;those racing to heaven and those racing to hell so you should love WHOEVER you choose to regardless of race, gender or creed. This book by one of my favorite authors J.J. Murray is a great example of this. When you let go of your inhibitions and your racial hangups you just might find something special. Interracial romance is fast becoming my favorite category of books to read. Im completely enthralled by the drama of two people from 2 different worlds,overcoming obstacles and refusing to let race come between them and true love!!
March 31, 2009
I think this is Murray's best work. The characters are very real. I felt like I knew them all.
May 23, 2009
Good read, but really slow at times. Not my fave from this author.
September 28, 2020
I am not a religious person, but I did enjoy this love journey. There were moments in the book in which I felt Shawna was being unreasonable. It also disturbed me that people feel their God looks down upon them with shame for having a normal, sexual appetite for the one they love and are attracted to. Overall though, it was a sweet, tender love story. I think we deserve a part 2 with this one....maybe a series! I would definitely read more from this author, hoping all of their books aren't heavily saturated with religion.
June 28, 2019
Good
Surprisingly good, started slow but I'm so glad that I stuck with it. A love story told from a man's point of view, very refreshing. I will be reading more of your work.
Surprisingly good, started slow but I'm so glad that I stuck with it. A love story told from a man's point of view, very refreshing. I will be reading more of your work.
May 26, 2020
2.5-star read
March 30, 2022
Inspiring!!
What a great book. J. J. Murray has hit another one out the park! This book ran the gambit of family life, death of both Shawna and Joe’s partners and each had 3 kids. During Shawna’s loss it was hard but after reading Joe’s post, she reached out to him with Godly words and encouragement. The poem at the beginning of this book was so inspirational that I cried.
Their family became Hers, His, Mine, Ours. Times got tough but they pulled together and made it through with God at the wheel.
What a great book. J. J. Murray has hit another one out the park! This book ran the gambit of family life, death of both Shawna and Joe’s partners and each had 3 kids. During Shawna’s loss it was hard but after reading Joe’s post, she reached out to him with Godly words and encouragement. The poem at the beginning of this book was so inspirational that I cried.
Their family became Hers, His, Mine, Ours. Times got tough but they pulled together and made it through with God at the wheel.
September 22, 2009
To Much of a Good Thing is all I expected it to be with its bi-racial couple. I think the only complaint I had about this book was that there situations were to alike when I wanted them to be completely different. The two main characters are Shawna and Joe both widowed and also they both have 3 children. They have to go through a lot of decisions to finally be happy. One of the big decisions are that there 3 children combined make 6 and there children's reaction to having a different color step mom or step dad. There are alot of controversy between there families and to add on to that there 2 daughters have a history of not liking each other while going to the same high school.
Shawna and Joe are the same but different in little ways; they both have a strong relation with god and there families which I thought was a good foundation for both characters. But since these are two adults looking towards the future they decide to get married. But since they have a strong relationships with both there families they go and announce that they are married. So both families have different opinions on the other person so visit while Shawna's family doesn't like the fact that Shawna new man is white, but Joe's parents are in love with Shawna and are just happy to see there son happy.
The book To Much of a Good Thing was a really quick read with its witty thoughts and fast motion ideas. This was my first bi-racial book I've ever read and it made me want to read more books like it. I would tell anyone to read this book if they just wanted a book to read on the poolside. I hope this review helps you get a a feel on what this book is about and encourages you to read it.
Joe Murphy
Shawna Mitchell
Shawna and Joe are the same but different in little ways; they both have a strong relation with god and there families which I thought was a good foundation for both characters. But since these are two adults looking towards the future they decide to get married. But since they have a strong relationships with both there families they go and announce that they are married. So both families have different opinions on the other person so visit while Shawna's family doesn't like the fact that Shawna new man is white, but Joe's parents are in love with Shawna and are just happy to see there son happy.
The book To Much of a Good Thing was a really quick read with its witty thoughts and fast motion ideas. This was my first bi-racial book I've ever read and it made me want to read more books like it. I would tell anyone to read this book if they just wanted a book to read on the poolside. I hope this review helps you get a a feel on what this book is about and encourages you to read it.
Joe Murphy
Shawna Mitchell
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 6, 2011
I really enjoyed this book. It made me laugh and cry. Joe is a newly widowed father of three kids. He is very religious and trying to figure out how to go on. His oldest has turned from a beautiful outgoing girl to a troubled goth. His middle son has turned to his books and the youngest Joey is just acting out in really aggressive ways. Shawna is a widowed mother of three also who is living in an apartment with many different cultures and running a website to help other parents get through losing a loved one. Shawna oldest is very overprotective of her fathers memory not wanting her to date or even talk to another man. Her middle son is what I call very zen and understanding. The youngest doesn't remember her father so she is just waiting to find someone to take that spot.
Joe goes to the website for support and finds no one that that actually gives it but Shawna. The first email touches both of them and inevitably turns into both of them confiding in each other. What they don't realize is that they live in the same town, their kids already know each other and they are of different races.
What happens next is a sequence of meetings, dates and fights trying to integrate the two families because they have both realized that they were brought together by God.
I loved the way the author gave insight into both races and families. Each family had the stereotypical child (white goth, black hoochie). While they tried to integrate they showed how different each race was but that with God they were able to find common ground.
I really loved this book. It was a great read.
Joe goes to the website for support and finds no one that that actually gives it but Shawna. The first email touches both of them and inevitably turns into both of them confiding in each other. What they don't realize is that they live in the same town, their kids already know each other and they are of different races.
What happens next is a sequence of meetings, dates and fights trying to integrate the two families because they have both realized that they were brought together by God.
I loved the way the author gave insight into both races and families. Each family had the stereotypical child (white goth, black hoochie). While they tried to integrate they showed how different each race was but that with God they were able to find common ground.
I really loved this book. It was a great read.
March 25, 2009
I nabbed this book because of the cover-- interracial romance is a guilty pleasure for me, and this is the first one I've seen where it was specifically advertised as such. It also didn't have a ridiculously saucy cover, so I had hopes that maybe there wouldn't be too much X-rated stuff.
As it turns out, both of the characters are strong Christians (although the book wasn't marketed as Christian? Not sure) though they engage in more bedroom looks/talk than I would've expected. The story starts out somewhat interesting, but after the midway point, I realized I was probably the wrong audience for this book. Both of the main characters are divorced with three kids, and marriage and all the expected trappings, responsibilities, and fluffy good feelings pretty much became the entire story. I prefer to have all my romances end with or before the marriage; all the interesting stuff is in the chase.
So I may or may not finish this...
As it turns out, both of the characters are strong Christians (although the book wasn't marketed as Christian? Not sure) though they engage in more bedroom looks/talk than I would've expected. The story starts out somewhat interesting, but after the midway point, I realized I was probably the wrong audience for this book. Both of the main characters are divorced with three kids, and marriage and all the expected trappings, responsibilities, and fluffy good feelings pretty much became the entire story. I prefer to have all my romances end with or before the marriage; all the interesting stuff is in the chase.
So I may or may not finish this...
August 11, 2010
I absolutely adore J.J. Murray. I adore everything about his writing style and how he captivates his readers into truly being apart of the characters lives. I have not come across a book yet that I did not like by him.
This book has to be my favorite so far. It truly shows what two people will do to be together despite what others think, including their own children. Instead they help them see that they can truly be a family. I finished this book in two days and am already wanting to read it again.
This book has to be my favorite so far. It truly shows what two people will do to be together despite what others think, including their own children. Instead they help them see that they can truly be a family. I finished this book in two days and am already wanting to read it again.
September 22, 2009
This is the best one yet. Murray really got it this time. I have been a fan since "Renee and Jay" but this one blew my mind. Finally and IR romance that was not so focused on the characters pigment differences, but focused on the difficulties of having to sacrifice and compromise in order to have a meaningful relationship. I cried at the end of this one. If you've never been into IR romance, this is where you should start.
April 25, 2011
I am becoming a big fan of J.J.Murray. This book is definitely more realistic, or least more realistic to my generation's issues. The way our main characters met is quite plausible as well as the children's reactions. As the book progressed I was pulled into their thoughts and predicted their reactions. As always, I enjoyed their basic underlying faith guiding their decisions.
I am looking forward to reading more of Mr. Murray. If you enjoy romances this is a pretty good one!
I am looking forward to reading more of Mr. Murray. If you enjoy romances this is a pretty good one!
December 19, 2012
This is only the second book of J.J. Murray's that I have read, and it's now a favorite. He's covered many challenges that could derail even a same-race marriage, and he's illustrated just how hard work and a shared loved for God can help a couple make it all work seamlessly. I appreciate how both characters are seeing God's hand in it all and going forward bravely. I'm looking forward to reading more of his work.
June 23, 2010
I learned you have to look past color and wait on God to decide what is best for you. This book also showed how you can bring cultures together, even though you might be different, sometimes, we are the same at heart. All i know is that I could not put this book down, I cried and laughed, it was a beautiful read.
April 3, 2012
I enjoyed the characters but I found the storyline a little hard to accept. Getting involved with someone after only 6 months of losing a beloved spouse seemed too quick, too soon.
Enjoyed the development of bringing the two families together...oh the drama!
Story ended how I expected, a nice read overall.
Enjoyed the development of bringing the two families together...oh the drama!
Story ended how I expected, a nice read overall.
May 3, 2013
This book took me by complete surprise. I knew it was an interracial romance, but did not know about the christian parts. It takes alot for me to get all misty eyed (I almost never cry) but this book, and the scriptures chosen did it for me. Mr. Murray you just pushed your way to the top of my favorite author list. I have every intention of getting all of your books.
December 17, 2015
I loved this story it showed the importance of blending family ! I especially enjoyed the fact that they took their time and allowing the children to choose to connect although the parents thought they could just put them together ! Yes at time Shawna seemed a bit bratty but I think she was just being herself along with grieving . This over all is a believable story Bravo!
July 29, 2010
I want to like J.J. Murray, I really do. This is the second book I have read of his. I love the story and the concept, it just seems as though he is very long winded getting the story set up and then at the very end he hits you with all this information.
October 9, 2010
This is my 2nd favorite of J.J.'s books. I loved the story line. Joe and Shawna's story was heart warming. I found some of the parts hilarious and some sad. The ending is great. The first book of J.J.'s that I bought.
October 13, 2022
I Love this book, I know I've probably read it about 10 time. It's kinda like a modern day Brady Bunch. Ive even have started making a casting list of who I would like to see in the roles if this was to be made into a movie.
June 7, 2012
I really LOVED it!! I read it twice because the story was really cute and I loved how the two families came together as a whole. I also love the part how Shawana helped Joe with his passing and bringing his family together again. The book was really good and I enjoyed it very much.
January 5, 2010
Not bad at all but not excellent either. I mean I finished it but I guess I just don't fit the demographic. If I were a single mom I probably would have enjoyed it more.
May 2, 2012
So far I am enjoying this
May 7, 2012
This book was decent but the story went on a bit too long. The last chapter was a little to corny for my taste.
June 4, 2012
on chapter four....I'm not so sure this is my thing. I think I should stick with paranormal stuff.
January 29, 2014
IT was an amazing book, I really enjoyed it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews