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Escape to Maui #1
Mai Tai Butterfly
Dutiful wife Nola Stevens slices open the afternoon mail and rips apart her secure, but tedious, life in Seattle. Twenty-three years ago, she moved from her father’s house to her husband’s house, never pausing to get to know the woman in the mirror. Now her marriage is over. Her ex-husband has moved on, leaving Nola parked on her friend Malia’s sofa bed until further notice. Malia is summoned home to Maui for her father’s seventy-fifth birthday luau and she persuades Nola to come along. Hawaii astounds her—non-stop sunshine, aloha spirit, and a brawny sculptor who challenges her see it all, do it all, and love it all. Cracking free of her self-imposed cocoon, Nola finds "living aloha" the best path to starting over.
362 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 21, 2008
224 people are currently reading
582 people want to read
About the author
JoAnn Bassett
27 books200 followersJoAnn was born and raised in Seattle, but always preferred palm trees to pine trees. She wrote instructional books and videos for a living but dreamed of "making stuff up" once she put the working life behind her. In 1996, she and her husband bought a home on Maui. Best day ever. She loved living on the beach but her husband longed to get back to "normal" so they moved to Arizona. Now JoAnn writes about life in the islands as a way to stay connected. Her "Islands of Aloha" mystery series will feature a story set in each of the major Hawaiian islands, starting with Maui.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
June 20, 2023
I did not enjoy this story and wondered on more than one occasion whether it was written for young adults. I was dissuaded from this because the story starts off with a decidedly adult topic.
The main character is Nola, who is married to Frank and helps out in his successful real estate business. They have a son who is a year away from leaving for college. Quite by chance, Nola opens a letter addressed to Frank and discovers he has been unfaithful. A short time after, she learns that Frank's lover is a male and that Frank has clearly been deceitful and is in the closet. Nola accepts a suggestion from a friend to accompany her to Hawaii for a week of birthday celebrations. As predicted, Nola's trip is extended, and we experience more of her undeveloped and rather dim-witted character together with an unrealistic ending. The character of Aidan was farcical. Good looking, talented, wealthy, and of course immediately smitten with Nola. 2 and a half stars
The main character is Nola, who is married to Frank and helps out in his successful real estate business. They have a son who is a year away from leaving for college. Quite by chance, Nola opens a letter addressed to Frank and discovers he has been unfaithful. A short time after, she learns that Frank's lover is a male and that Frank has clearly been deceitful and is in the closet. Nola accepts a suggestion from a friend to accompany her to Hawaii for a week of birthday celebrations. As predicted, Nola's trip is extended, and we experience more of her undeveloped and rather dim-witted character together with an unrealistic ending. The character of Aidan was farcical. Good looking, talented, wealthy, and of course immediately smitten with Nola. 2 and a half stars
May 6, 2012
Mai Tai Butterfly by JoAnn Bassett
Another good deal/good read Amazon/kindle: $2.99
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_...
I love the first line of this book," My life ended with a letter bomb. It made for a quick exit—like a magician's trick: now you see her, now you don't. The limb-from-limb pain came later."
There's no doubt that Nola's twenty-five year marriage has subsided into compromise and boredom. Then she opens a correspondence from a florist meant for her husband and gets the surprise of her life. Yes, he's cheating—with another man. Which, as awful as it sounds, is also funny… well, it is when this author writes it.
Nola grabs an offer by her friend, Malia, to fly to Maui for her father's birthday celebration. And what starts out as a one week getaway, becomes a Maui transformation from Nola the caterpillar to Noelani the butterfly. She loses weight, gets tanned, healthy and in the process, learns how to stand on her own two feet. There's a pivotal scene in which Noelani says it just right, "Something stirred in me that I hadn't sensed in a long time. If I'd been home in Seattle I might have pegged it as fear. It felt a little like fear—dangerous, jumpy, with a dash of suspense. But I was pretty sure it wasn't fear because I didn't feel on whit of shame or weakness." And then, "I identified the feeling—it was courage." There's nothing better than a woman who finally gets it, right?
Of course, the path isn't straight, and Nola backslides, making this reader squirm and say, "Don't! Don't take that bastard back!" (Been there, done that!) But, then this isn't chick-lit or regency romance, it's real life, it's fun, funny and messy.
Yes, there's a hunky guy, but though Aiden is handsome and kind, he doesn't give her any slack, either. He's attracted to her, but he also insults, and challenges her to take charge.
There's also an ongoing thread running through the book that got my funny bone: A nosy neighbor spreads the rumor that Nola ran over and killed a little dog, and every time she meets a new local, she gets reminded of it. "Oh, yeah, you're the one who killed Momi's little dog." Okay, it doesn't sound so funny when I say it, but you'll have to read the book to get the punch line. It's part of what makes Maui a small town. The kind of family, kinship, everyone loves to read about and something most of us, myself included, never get to see as a tourist to the islands. Naturally, there's a very satisfying and happy ending. I loved this book.
Highly recommended read.
RP Dahlke
Mystery, humor, romance
A Dead Red Cadillac
A DEAD RED HEART
A Dangerous Harbor
Another good deal/good read Amazon/kindle: $2.99
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_...
I love the first line of this book," My life ended with a letter bomb. It made for a quick exit—like a magician's trick: now you see her, now you don't. The limb-from-limb pain came later."
There's no doubt that Nola's twenty-five year marriage has subsided into compromise and boredom. Then she opens a correspondence from a florist meant for her husband and gets the surprise of her life. Yes, he's cheating—with another man. Which, as awful as it sounds, is also funny… well, it is when this author writes it.
Nola grabs an offer by her friend, Malia, to fly to Maui for her father's birthday celebration. And what starts out as a one week getaway, becomes a Maui transformation from Nola the caterpillar to Noelani the butterfly. She loses weight, gets tanned, healthy and in the process, learns how to stand on her own two feet. There's a pivotal scene in which Noelani says it just right, "Something stirred in me that I hadn't sensed in a long time. If I'd been home in Seattle I might have pegged it as fear. It felt a little like fear—dangerous, jumpy, with a dash of suspense. But I was pretty sure it wasn't fear because I didn't feel on whit of shame or weakness." And then, "I identified the feeling—it was courage." There's nothing better than a woman who finally gets it, right?
Of course, the path isn't straight, and Nola backslides, making this reader squirm and say, "Don't! Don't take that bastard back!" (Been there, done that!) But, then this isn't chick-lit or regency romance, it's real life, it's fun, funny and messy.
Yes, there's a hunky guy, but though Aiden is handsome and kind, he doesn't give her any slack, either. He's attracted to her, but he also insults, and challenges her to take charge.
There's also an ongoing thread running through the book that got my funny bone: A nosy neighbor spreads the rumor that Nola ran over and killed a little dog, and every time she meets a new local, she gets reminded of it. "Oh, yeah, you're the one who killed Momi's little dog." Okay, it doesn't sound so funny when I say it, but you'll have to read the book to get the punch line. It's part of what makes Maui a small town. The kind of family, kinship, everyone loves to read about and something most of us, myself included, never get to see as a tourist to the islands. Naturally, there's a very satisfying and happy ending. I loved this book.
Highly recommended read.
RP Dahlke
Mystery, humor, romance
A Dead Red Cadillac
A DEAD RED HEART
A Dangerous Harbor
June 10, 2012
I read this while in Hawaii and it was a good, light, easy, beachy read. It's about a newly divorced woman that escapes to Maui and is "adopted" by a friend's Hawaiian family. A few interesting Hawaiian facts are sprinkled throughout and there's a dictionary of Hawaiian words in the back. It's a great fiction read for a trip to Hawaii.
May 7, 2012
Couldn't finish. I hve a real problem with woman that let men rule their lives. And even when the relationship is over they still can shake the need to wonder how the ex would feel or react to something. Please. Not to mention that the writing is boring.
April 30, 2012
When this book was good it was GOOD but when it was bad, it was terrible. It's a problem when you're reading and think "oh it must be almost done" and then realize that you're only 27% done.
November 4, 2017
Loved it!
Loved this story about a more "mature" woman who had to find a new life on her own in New surroundings after divorce from a controlling husband. She finds her strengths and talents and a whole new way of life. Enjoyed the bits of Hawaiian history, language, and traditions. Could picture myself watching a Hawaiian sunset with mai tai in hand!
Loved this story about a more "mature" woman who had to find a new life on her own in New surroundings after divorce from a controlling husband. She finds her strengths and talents and a whole new way of life. Enjoyed the bits of Hawaiian history, language, and traditions. Could picture myself watching a Hawaiian sunset with mai tai in hand!
December 24, 2019
Fun Tale
A very involved tale of a woman in Seattle, Washington, whose life changes in an instant when she goes from being her husband’s dogsbody at work and at home to being overwhelmed at finding he’s having an affair. Suddenly life takes her to Maui and one thing or another comes up to keep her there. Fun, at times maddening, look at becoming a real “daughter of the land”.
A very involved tale of a woman in Seattle, Washington, whose life changes in an instant when she goes from being her husband’s dogsbody at work and at home to being overwhelmed at finding he’s having an affair. Suddenly life takes her to Maui and one thing or another comes up to keep her there. Fun, at times maddening, look at becoming a real “daughter of the land”.
June 26, 2017
Fantastic
I read this book in one afternoon. I could not put it down. I am ready for more and more.
I read this book in one afternoon. I could not put it down. I am ready for more and more.
July 7, 2017
Cute, but at times the main character, Nola, got a bit too sappy or annoyingly foolish. Those bits were not too frequent, so overall the story was quite enjoyable despite being predictable.
February 17, 2018
Bliss
Not what I expected, it was a really good book. Plan on reading next book in series. Makes you want to go to Hawaii.
Not what I expected, it was a really good book. Plan on reading next book in series. Makes you want to go to Hawaii.
February 25, 2017
An easy read romance. Not usually my cup of tea, but it was nice.
February 17, 2014
I finished this book a few days ago. This is about a gal who finds that her marriage is falling apart unexpectedly....she ends up on her friends couch where she is going to stay unti she can decide what she is going to do next. She ends up going to Maui with her friend and due to unforseen circumstances she ends up staying there quite a long while....Maui and the people there, the sunshine the fresh fruit, the neighbor who works as a sculpter without his shirt on most of the time comes into her radar...
Life is just a bunch of changes that she learns to roll with them as they come...and then her husband comes wanting her back............welll
I liked the book quite a bit it was a fast read, and enjoyable. I would recommend it to those who like contemporary romances.
From Good Reads:
Slicing open the afternoon mail rips apart Nola Stevens' secure- but tedious-life in Seattle. Twenty-three years ago, she moved from her father's house to her husband's house, barely pausing to attend her high school graduation. But now her marriage is over. Her ex-husband's moved on to something else entirely-leaving Nola parked on her friend Malia's sofa bed until further notice. When Malia's summoned home to Maui for her father's seventy-fifth birthday luau, she persuades Nola to come along. Hawaii astounds her-non-stop sunshine, aloha spirit, and fresh fruit cheaper than canned. And then there's the half-naked sculptor who keeps sneaking up behind her.
"Mai Tai Butterfly" is a three-fold love story: a love of place, of a man, and the love that makes the other two possible. Living aloha is the best revenge
Life is just a bunch of changes that she learns to roll with them as they come...and then her husband comes wanting her back............welll
I liked the book quite a bit it was a fast read, and enjoyable. I would recommend it to those who like contemporary romances.
From Good Reads:
Slicing open the afternoon mail rips apart Nola Stevens' secure- but tedious-life in Seattle. Twenty-three years ago, she moved from her father's house to her husband's house, barely pausing to attend her high school graduation. But now her marriage is over. Her ex-husband's moved on to something else entirely-leaving Nola parked on her friend Malia's sofa bed until further notice. When Malia's summoned home to Maui for her father's seventy-fifth birthday luau, she persuades Nola to come along. Hawaii astounds her-non-stop sunshine, aloha spirit, and fresh fruit cheaper than canned. And then there's the half-naked sculptor who keeps sneaking up behind her.
"Mai Tai Butterfly" is a three-fold love story: a love of place, of a man, and the love that makes the other two possible. Living aloha is the best revenge
December 28, 2016
Not my usual choice of genre - chick lit lite, let's say - but it was a Kindle freebie, and I've read one of Bassett's Hawaii-themed mysteries before and it was decent. This isn't a mystery, but part of another series of hers in which various female characters who are troubled or traumatized in some way find a new life in Hawaii. A compelling theme, to be sure. This one features Nola, a middle-aged housewife who learns her husband has been cheating on her with young men, and she's never done anything but work for him at his real estate business and just gone along with whatever he wanted, so she finds herself with no skills, no prospects, no husband, and a grown son who's pissed at both of them and skips town. So she heads to Hawaii to accompany her friend Malia, to visit Malia's aging father. While there, she naturally finds new love in a hot fellow American who's gone native, flourishes while minding a little store / deli for Malia's aunt and decides to open a restaurant, and all ends well, of course. This is why I don't read anything romantic. They're unrealistic and predictable. Of COURSE the middle-aged broad scores a hot guy who happens to be wealthy to boot, because that happens in real life every day (eyeroll). Still, the author is certainly well-versed in all things native Hawaiian, and it's interesting to read about the customs and life there. All that said, a part of me really feels the need to stop wasting reading time on these mindless stories, just because they're free. There are a lot of books that need reading and I'm not going to live forever. :)
December 13, 2016
JoAnn Bassett has started a new series, this one set on the island of Maui. Featuring a different woman's story in each book, Mai Tai Butterfly starts us off with the story of forty-something Nola Stevens. A dutiful, if dull wife and mother, she does her best to fulfill everyone's expectations. Until she receives shocking and irrefutable proof of her husband's infidelity and her life turns upside down.
Persuaded by a friend to fly with her to Maui, she find herself falling in love with the island and the people she meets, especially that hunk of manhood, a sculptor who likes to work with his shirt off.
This bit of fluff is nothing but fun.
Persuaded by a friend to fly with her to Maui, she find herself falling in love with the island and the people she meets, especially that hunk of manhood, a sculptor who likes to work with his shirt off.
This bit of fluff is nothing but fun.
May 4, 2013
Joann Bassett is a very good writer, and I loved this book. I could not put it down.
Unlike her Islands of Aloha Mystery Series, these characters, were believable.
I dated a gay man once, and could totally have seen the same issues happening with me.
I'm not going to go into details, but this was funny crap. Just remembering my own problems with this lifestyle. Eerily Familiar!
This book is about the beautiful scenery of Hawaii, choices made in life, love, and honor.
A good read for anyone :)
Unlike her Islands of Aloha Mystery Series, these characters, were believable.
I dated a gay man once, and could totally have seen the same issues happening with me.
I'm not going to go into details, but this was funny crap. Just remembering my own problems with this lifestyle. Eerily Familiar!
This book is about the beautiful scenery of Hawaii, choices made in life, love, and honor.
A good read for anyone :)
May 8, 2013
After discovering her husband's affair, Nola leaves home to stay with her friend Malia. Malia's father is nearing his birthday and asks Nola to go to Maui with her to celebrate. Malia needs to return home to Seattle for her job and family, so Nola stays behind to help take care of Malia's father, Al, after his heart surgery. After a series of mishaps and deaths, Nola finally finds love again with Aiden, the local artist. I enjoyed this book very much because the story was very well written and fun to read. It went too fast. Plus, all the Maui references, made it feel like I was there.
October 15, 2016
I gave the book a 4 star because I rarely read books designate "romance" novels and this one was really well done. I like the characters and the plot and the lack of graphic sex. I like sex in books to be insinuated rather than described in detail. Bassett does a good job with this. Sometimes I wanted the heroine to get smart faster, but like life, it doesn't always work that way. Better written than many romance novels. I'll read another if she writes one. I also really like her mystery series set in Hawaii.
She does a wonderful job with the culture and language of Hawaii.
She does a wonderful job with the culture and language of Hawaii.
December 21, 2011
Mai Tai Butterfly is a thoroughly enjoyable read. Happily anticipating your next book. I'll have to admit, that "ex-husband Frank" in the novel reminded me of my own ex-husband in so many ways, brings back some funny memories. I've never been to Hawaii - but felt as though I was there with Nola and the rest of the gang. I hope you are writing more books as I write this JoAnn - thank you again for putting out such a great first novel.
June 10, 2012
I read mysteries more often than romance but I liked this author's first book in her Aloha mystery series, so I picked this one up too. Really enjoyed it! The first page hooked me right in and I was carried along from there. Some nice little twists along the way to keep things interesting. The only thing that makes me sad about good romances is that they do not lend themselves to series. I really wanted to find out what happened next in the characters' lives!
September 10, 2016
2.5 stars.
This book started off slowly for me. As I got into it, I enjoyed learning about various Hawaiian customs and traditions.
The heroine annoyed me often;she seemed like such a wimp. Her actions about 85% into the book had me shaking my head.
If a reader enjoys reading about Maui and native Hawaiian customs, this could be interesting. If a reader wants a strong female character, pass on this one. She isn't.
This book started off slowly for me. As I got into it, I enjoyed learning about various Hawaiian customs and traditions.
The heroine annoyed me often;she seemed like such a wimp. Her actions about 85% into the book had me shaking my head.
If a reader enjoys reading about Maui and native Hawaiian customs, this could be interesting. If a reader wants a strong female character, pass on this one. She isn't.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 12, 2017
This was a freebie from Amazon and I don't even think it was worth the price.....of the time I spent reading it. I thought the setting on Maui was going to make it worth slogging through a very silly story of a woman whose husband has an affair with another man. The author's attitude toward homosexuality is offensive. Her characters are unbelievable and she has to resort to describing food in order to have anything worth thinking about in this book.
November 24, 2014
This one is not a mystery but it is another hit by the author
I love Joe and Bassets characters there's so real and you can feel for them you can feel their vulnerability Maui is the one island that I never did get to spend much time on the times that the times that I went to Hawaii it made me want to get there and spend some time on Maui hopefully one day I will be able to
I love Joe and Bassets characters there's so real and you can feel for them you can feel their vulnerability Maui is the one island that I never did get to spend much time on the times that the times that I went to Hawaii it made me want to get there and spend some time on Maui hopefully one day I will be able to
October 28, 2013
Really enjoyed the characters of this book and I loved that it took place in my favorite location, Maui!! I can hardly wait for book #2 to come out!! In the mean time, I'll be reading the other books by this author.
September 6, 2016
Very good book!
What a very pleasant surprise this book was to read!!!
Good story...good characters and totally captured the Aloha feeling.
I highly recommend this book...and be totally happy afterwards.
Shirley in Alaska
What a very pleasant surprise this book was to read!!!
Good story...good characters and totally captured the Aloha feeling.
I highly recommend this book...and be totally happy afterwards.
Shirley in Alaska
September 10, 2016
A pleasant, feel good book that is an easy read. No unnecessary graphic sex scenes....just a good story with a romance on the side. The descriptive language brings Hawaii to life. A great casual read for anyone wanting a light read.
September 15, 2016
Okay I guess. Kind of predictable. I liked the exposure to Hawaiian culture. I couldn't really relate to the main character but I did find myself reading until the end. It was nice brain candy for reading at the end of a long day.
October 20, 2016
I enjoyed reading about Hawaii and its local culture but there's nothing unforgettable about the story. Also, it's so long-winded it felt like I've already read a whole book but realized it's been only at 8%.
December 15, 2016
Great Escape
Mai Tai Butterfly is a fun fast read. Real life problems and real life escaping. I loved the Hawaiian words used and showing a bit of the Hawaiian heritage in the way of dealing with family, money, & land. Can't wait to read the second in this series.
Mai Tai Butterfly is a fun fast read. Real life problems and real life escaping. I loved the Hawaiian words used and showing a bit of the Hawaiian heritage in the way of dealing with family, money, & land. Can't wait to read the second in this series.
December 21, 2011
This is a fun story, especially if you love Hawaii. Even has a little list of Hawaiian words!
December 22, 2011
Wonderful descriptions of Maui. I felt as though I was there. I couldn't put the book down it was so good.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews