You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA
Ava Maxwell had accepted that she could never have the "all or nothing" kind of love in her life, at least not at present when she is still thirty five, because she could not give the one thing that all men wanted, CHILDREN. She had walked out of her marriage ten years ago when it became clear that she could never have kids which was the most important thing her husband wanted. He wanted a family of his own. Ever since she had engrossed herself in helping other people with their dreams as the leading wedding planner in the trendy but troubled city of Palmdale, Florida. She cherished the idea of happy couples and building lives and eventually a family together...knowing that for her, the reality was painfully different.
As Sarah Dessen says in "The Truth About Forever", “There is never a time or place for true love. It happens accidentally, in a heartbeat, in a single flashing, throbbing moment.” and this what happened with Ava when she met an eight year old boy on the wrong side of the tracks and a handsome man, new in the town, all in the course of one evening.
As the book blurb says, "Alliances are formed, bonds that soon deepen into something more special than she's ever known. Could these two males be the key to her attaining...A Love of Her Own ?"
A beautifully written story by Bettye Griffin that touches something deep within each of us. This is not your usual love story. It's a story of love coupled with longing, sacrifices, grief, sadness, strength and finally the satisfaction of doing your best in every difficulty.
The things that we take for granted like our parent's love, the sanctity of a home, the care we get from our loved ones and the surety of a stable future are things not all have. Bettye Griffin brings forth the plight and struggles of people not as privileged in the above things. I was specially touched by the description of the longing in Marcus' and then in his cousins' eyes when Ava goes to meet their grandparents in the dilapidated one room they called their home.
Ava's sadness and her longing for kids of her own brings tears to our eyes. The selfless love she gives to Marcus and the eventual love and trust she wins from him is something that had a deep impact upon me. Children like Marcus crave love and need saving from the depth of poverty they are thrown into. The change in Marcus from a purse snatcher, secretive, suspicious boy to a happy, innocent eight year old with love in his eyes and a belief of a love filled future is brought about with confidence and expertise by the author leaving the reader spellbound and deeply touched.
The characters are expertly sketched and the author has been successfully in conveying the story through them. The bonds of friendship, trust and then love that form in the course of the book made me feel teary as well as joyous. Its the relationships of the heart that count and this message is beautifully portrayed in the book.
The scenes between Ava and Hilton are sensuous, emotional and leave a warm feeling in the reader. They are truly made for each other and their love for one another says it all.
A book that will keep you hooked and turning pages. I give "A Love of Her Own" a 4.2 out of 5. A sensitive story of a family brought together by the love in their hearts and a belief for a "Happily-Ever-After".
Ava has a wedding shop and plans weddings. She can not have children and is extremely bothered by this. That was the cause of the end of her first marriage. Ava is so bothered by knowing she can't have children that she lets it affect every relationship she has. I didn't like how Ava went for over ten years feeling that she was a failure because she was infertile. When she meets Hilton, her life turns around when she finds out that he can accept adopting children.
Hilton was a wonderful character who was attracted to Ava immediately. He had a son, Max, who he was trying to see more often. Max lived with his mother, Janelle, who wouldn't marry Hilton but wanted his support checks. Hilton was very comfortable with his son and terrific with Marcus. Ava "found" Marcus when he was stealing a purse and she became his friend and started to have him stay at her house often.
I like the writing style of the author and thought the book was a great read and definitely captures the reader in the story line. It is very thought provoking dealing with infertility and adoption. I really had never thought about how people felt when they had these problems to overcome.
The problem I had with A Love Of Her Own was that the author didn't indicate that the characters were African American. I was at about 20% through on my ereader when I finally figured this out. The character description was really good. I found the children wonderful little guys. Even though Ava was pretty negative about her fertility problem, she was a good, kind person and I liked her. Hilton was terrific.
**Spoiler alert** I forced myself to read this book - only because I was curious about how the story ended. I sure am glad I got this book for free. It was not a very good story at all. There were lots of places in the book that were not edited properly. Extra words were kept in the sentences that made it not make sense, there were a few incorrect spellings.
Now as far as the storyline...I really didn't enjoy it. Maybe its because I couldnt really relate. But what "parent" lets their 8 year old kid walk around all alone on the streets. Or what parent leaves their 8 year old home alone while they go to the store or wherever they are going. Also it just seemed like the author rushed into everything. I mean come on, you catch this kid doing something inappropriate, then the next thing you know she is having him live with her and then asking for him to live with her permanently. Then she meets someone, starts dating and then the next "week" they are getting married and adopting the kids. It was very predictable and really just not enjoyable to me at all.
This book was very touching to me. T o know there are women out ther who desperatly want to be mothers and are not able to have them because of medical reasons is so sad to me. This book shows you the things these women go through emotionally when seeing other women with children. There are a few men out there(that I have NO respect for) that will only accept having a child from their blood and will not even consider an alternative. Then Mrs. Griffin tells you about these women who are able to give birth who seem to not care for their child. Ava Maxwell is a wonderful woman that can not have children of her own but takes in a boy off the street and makes him her own. Hilton White is an honorable man who excepts Ava and the little boy and his sister as his family. Kudos to Mrs. Griffin for an excellent story that really moved me.
I loved this book! I saw myself in Ava's shoes. To not be able to have children of your own and to feel less than a woman, to not feel whole. I know that you don't have to naturally have a child to be a mother, but to never be able to conceive, carry and nurture and give birth is devastating to a woman's spirit (I'm speaking from experience). Ava didn't let her situation stop her from helping a child, who was starting a life a crime and heading in the wrong direction. Not only that but she found true love. I could probably go on and on about Ava, Marcus and Hilton, but I won't spoil it for you. This is my first Bettye Griffin read and I thoroughly enjoyed it and will be reading more of her work.
This story was so wonderfully written, I love every minute of it. I liked the way Ava and Marcus met the way Ava could see what Marcus needed right away , and Marcus what a cute little boy . I loved him he was so sweet and all he wanted to do was be a little boy. Hilton and Max, Hilton was a wonderful character too the way he took to Marcus and the way he fought for his son Max I loved him for it. I loved the way Hilton loved Ava for what they could be and not what the could not have. This is my 3rd book written by this author and I have loved them all this certainly will not be my last.
I loved this book. I could relate to Ava and her situation. I am currently at home recovering from a major operation. Similar to what Ava had. I loved the writing style of this book. Hilton. What a man. Ava is lovely too. She is independent and owns her own business. Has wonderful friends and family. I love her relationship with Marcus. I was not expecting that relationship to go so smoothly.
This is another book I found hard to put down. Excellent read.
Ava has a wedding shop and also plans weddings. She is extremely troubled by the fact that she can not have children. One marriage ended for that reason. This problem affects her relationship with everyone man she has become friendly with. She is helpful to many friends. Then she meets a man that can accept children by adoption. This is a very thoughtful story that keeps the reader interested. The characters are nicely developed and seem like people you would like to know.
A story about a woman who couldn't bare children, and felt she would live her life alone because she couldn't. And then she met Hilton, who had come out of a relationship with a woman who gave him a child, but was only after his family inheritance. They both kept secrets, but had an instant interest in each other.
This book is a snooze fest. No, fest is too festive: it's a complete bore. I gave up halfway through when nothing-- seriously, nothing!-- of consequence had happened. I didn't finish and deleted it... on both the app and site! Too bad, I was really into the premise.
Fantastic book, the author expressed the feelings of the characters in such detail that it touched your heart. You felt for Marcus, Ava, Hilton and Max. This story was one that kept you reading and made you appreciate the importance of friends who will be there for you no matter what.
I enjoyed this book. There were a few grammar problems and typos in this book, and that did take a bit away from the story. However, a great novel about a blended family.
I've read this back when it was originally published. It's a slower paced novel but worth it in the end. I loved reading about how Ava comes to know Marcus.