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Virginia Clan #3.5
Finally
From author Lynn Galli comes two original short stories. See how the Virginia clan series started with "Finally" and enjoy a new stand-alone tale in "Objection." Epilogues to all the Virginia friends' books are included. Finally - Willa Lacey is confident, smart, and ambitious. A few months away from being granted venture capital to start her software company, she's barely able to maintain her day job, attend to her family, and keep up with friends. It's been a long process, but her hard work is about to pay off. So, why is it that all she can think about is the friendship she's just made with a professional basketball player? She's never been distracted before, yet something about Quinn Lysander is making her rethink her priorities in life. Can the potential for a relationship outweigh the importance of her life's ambition? Objection - When a pattern of judicial bribery appears to benefit someone in the mayor's office, Lindsay St. James, political problem solver, is tasked with fixing the issue. Used to dealing with all kinds of legal ramifications and potential publicity nightmares, Lindsay has never had much trouble resolving these situations in the past. She doesn't expect this problem to be any different. However, when she enlists the help of a sassy but all too lovely superior court judge, she may find her focus blurred for the first time in her life.
156 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2010
16 people are currently reading
162 people want to read
About the author
Lynn Galli
19 books267 followersLynn Galli calls the Pacific Northwest home even though she's never written any software code, built an airplane, worn socks with sandals, or slung coffee. For the most part, she enjoys her real job but absolutely lives for the time she gets to spend writing.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 25, 2011
This one includes a couple of short novels and a collection of epilogues for her other books.
Gathering from her website, she wrote the first one, the story of Quinn and Willa, at the urging of fans who wanted to know what their story was. It shows, it feels rather soulless and like it was written as a task, not because she really had a story to tell. Some of the epilogues I already knew, as they are part of the special editions of her novels.
***
As a collective reaction to all books, I would say that she is a great storyteller, but her books could use some work. The ones listed in this post also all contained errors of the incorrect word usage type that could be typos (mixing up arraignment and arrangement, for example), and questionable comma choices. On her website she also states that part of her reason to reissue some of her books as special editions was to give them another edit and remove glaring errors. I don't want to know what errors were removed if those that are still there were missed in this round of editing.
The couples 'crisis' often stem from one moment of miscommunication/non-communication that seems very fabricated just to set up the crisis. That breaks the flow of otherwise engaging stories and is very predictable if it happens in every book. I also noticed the point of view. Without going back to check every book, they are written in a mix of first person narrative for one character and third person for the other. I find that mix odd, and sometimes it annoyed me. Also, especially in Wasted Heart, the first person narrative is used to have that character's inner monologue sort of address the reader. Meant to be funny I'm sure, but if every chapter ends with such a comment, it's annoying. It just shows to me that a) first person is hard to do and it takes a lot of skill to do right and b) first person is not the best POV to tell a story. (I'm still amazed at how well it worked for me in Hunger Games).
Gathering from her website, she wrote the first one, the story of Quinn and Willa, at the urging of fans who wanted to know what their story was. It shows, it feels rather soulless and like it was written as a task, not because she really had a story to tell. Some of the epilogues I already knew, as they are part of the special editions of her novels.
***
As a collective reaction to all books, I would say that she is a great storyteller, but her books could use some work. The ones listed in this post also all contained errors of the incorrect word usage type that could be typos (mixing up arraignment and arrangement, for example), and questionable comma choices. On her website she also states that part of her reason to reissue some of her books as special editions was to give them another edit and remove glaring errors. I don't want to know what errors were removed if those that are still there were missed in this round of editing.
The couples 'crisis' often stem from one moment of miscommunication/non-communication that seems very fabricated just to set up the crisis. That breaks the flow of otherwise engaging stories and is very predictable if it happens in every book. I also noticed the point of view. Without going back to check every book, they are written in a mix of first person narrative for one character and third person for the other. I find that mix odd, and sometimes it annoyed me. Also, especially in Wasted Heart, the first person narrative is used to have that character's inner monologue sort of address the reader. Meant to be funny I'm sure, but if every chapter ends with such a comment, it's annoying. It just shows to me that a) first person is hard to do and it takes a lot of skill to do right and b) first person is not the best POV to tell a story. (I'm still amazed at how well it worked for me in Hunger Games).
July 13, 2018
Just because I see myself as a romantic of some sort, I have given this book 3stars. However, it comes across to me as sappy in many of the relationships as well as corny on some. Also I find it difficult connecting and identifying a number of the main characters especially in the epilogues. I am still wondering at present why such misplaced story pieces were paired together. I should really have given this 2 star rating
May 5, 2015
Nice writing, I especially love M and Briony's epilogue. They share a kind of relationship that's so different from the rest, they are in a way, "strange" and special in their own right.
When I purchased a book and start reading it for the first time, I certainly don't want to re-read some part of the story that I already encountered in the other books. It's the epilogue. I'm especially hoping for some kind of new scenes/epilogue for Austy and Elise, but it's the same one from Wasted Heart , considering these two are one of my most favorite couple in the Virginia Clan.
As for Quinn and Willa, their love story seems like a typical one. The couple appeared a lot throughout the Virginia Clan, and their love being show as something very special. However, their story doesn't seem special for me. It's totally a time skipped right there, *poof* and two months passed. OTL I wish Finally could be a full story of Willa and Quinn.
As for Lindsay and Suzanne, perhaps I am missing something but the judge's name sound familiar. It's likely that they already make an appearance once somewhere throughout the Virginia Clan series. For the life of me, I can't remember where, or maybe it was just my memory on strike. Regardless, I was hoping I could see more of these two as well.
The two short stories have very nice potential for expand. But then again, maybe this is, in a sense, just something to satisfy readers who are urging the author to make this short origin of Willa and Quinn.
When I purchased a book and start reading it for the first time, I certainly don't want to re-read some part of the story that I already encountered in the other books. It's the epilogue. I'm especially hoping for some kind of new scenes/epilogue for Austy and Elise, but it's the same one from Wasted Heart , considering these two are one of my most favorite couple in the Virginia Clan.
As for Quinn and Willa, their love story seems like a typical one. The couple appeared a lot throughout the Virginia Clan, and their love being show as something very special. However, their story doesn't seem special for me. It's totally a time skipped right there, *poof* and two months passed. OTL I wish Finally could be a full story of Willa and Quinn.
As for Lindsay and Suzanne, perhaps I am missing something but the judge's name sound familiar. It's likely that they already make an appearance once somewhere throughout the Virginia Clan series. For the life of me, I can't remember where, or maybe it was just my memory on strike. Regardless, I was hoping I could see more of these two as well.
The two short stories have very nice potential for expand. But then again, maybe this is, in a sense, just something to satisfy readers who are urging the author to make this short origin of Willa and Quinn.
July 13, 2016
Two short stories by Lynn Galli. They were good. Too short though. Also some Epilogues to round out some of her other Virginia Clan books.
December 30, 2021
loved the way the ties were done.
July 17, 2012
Most likely, if you're considering purchasing/reading this book, you're already a fan of author Lynn Galli and of her wonderful Virginia Friends Series of novels. This collection, "Finally", is truly for the fans of those fantastic volumes as it features a long requested telling of dedicated partners, Willa and Quinn, and how they came to be the couple we've grown to love over the whole series.
First off, plainly - I can highly recommend this wonderful collection. As an avid reader of Lynn Galli, I've purchased and enjoyed all her novels and have always had a great admiration for her character creation and storytelling ability. This book really displays her ability to excel at both.
The first story we're gifted with here is actually named for the title of this book - "Finally". As any fan of the Virginia Friends Series knows, the starting steps of partners Willa and Quinn's relationship has been referred to but never put to paper - not until now. "Finally" starts with a wonderful set of chapters ( 7 chapters, 44 pages, so longer than your standard short story ) that describes the meeting and first tentative steps of courtship between Willa and Quinn. It's great to finally ( pun intended ) get some insight into the genesis of these two great characters and their relationship. "Finally" alone was worth the price of the book for me.
In addition to the first steps in Willa and Quinn's history, we're also given a brand new short story, based on new characters called "Objection" - and it's a real winner. A compelling story ( 9 chapters, about 48 pages - so again longer than your standard short ) starring two fascinating women, it's smartly written and the characters are wonderfully drawn. My only complaint would be that I wanted more of them than we're presented with here. I can only hope we see more of Lindsay and Suzanne in some future book.
Following these two missives are the epilogues to each of the Virginia Friends Series of books. If you're a fan of the books - then you'll absolutely love the epilogues. We're presented with, in order : M's epilogue, Jessie's Epilogue, Austy's Epilogue, Raven's Epilogue and finally - Willa's epilogue. Each epilogue is written with such a distinct and different voice, they're just a joy to read and absorb. Even in their single, one chapter presentation - they show character insight and detail to each of the relationships. They're just fantastic.
This whole collection has already become a favorite read of mine, and I'm sure it will for others, as well.
Side Note To Those New To The Virginia Friends Series : For those looking for great reads, who haven't yet read the Virginia Friends Series - I'd highly recommend you add them to your must-read list. "Wasted Heart" features Austy and Elise, and one of the funniest and most engaging first chapters I've ever read. "Imagining Reality" features Jessie and Lauren, and speaks truthfully of love through change and growth. "Blessed Twice" features Briony and the wonderfully written M, and tells of second chances and the ability of love to overcome obstacles. ( Psst - "Uncommon Emotions", though not specifically featuring the Virginia Friends, does have a cameo by one of the couples. It's unexpected and very sweet. ) There are Special Editions of each of these titles currently available - each of which ends with the epilogues also featured here in "Finally".
In addition, if you're still looking for something to read : Lynn Galli's "Full Court Pressure", though not featuring our heroines from the Virginia Friends Series, is one of the best, sports-based, stories I've ever read. Well written and again featuring strong, competent and admirable female characters.
You truly cannot go wrong with a Lynn Galli book.
First off, plainly - I can highly recommend this wonderful collection. As an avid reader of Lynn Galli, I've purchased and enjoyed all her novels and have always had a great admiration for her character creation and storytelling ability. This book really displays her ability to excel at both.
The first story we're gifted with here is actually named for the title of this book - "Finally". As any fan of the Virginia Friends Series knows, the starting steps of partners Willa and Quinn's relationship has been referred to but never put to paper - not until now. "Finally" starts with a wonderful set of chapters ( 7 chapters, 44 pages, so longer than your standard short story ) that describes the meeting and first tentative steps of courtship between Willa and Quinn. It's great to finally ( pun intended ) get some insight into the genesis of these two great characters and their relationship. "Finally" alone was worth the price of the book for me.
In addition to the first steps in Willa and Quinn's history, we're also given a brand new short story, based on new characters called "Objection" - and it's a real winner. A compelling story ( 9 chapters, about 48 pages - so again longer than your standard short ) starring two fascinating women, it's smartly written and the characters are wonderfully drawn. My only complaint would be that I wanted more of them than we're presented with here. I can only hope we see more of Lindsay and Suzanne in some future book.
Following these two missives are the epilogues to each of the Virginia Friends Series of books. If you're a fan of the books - then you'll absolutely love the epilogues. We're presented with, in order : M's epilogue, Jessie's Epilogue, Austy's Epilogue, Raven's Epilogue and finally - Willa's epilogue. Each epilogue is written with such a distinct and different voice, they're just a joy to read and absorb. Even in their single, one chapter presentation - they show character insight and detail to each of the relationships. They're just fantastic.
This whole collection has already become a favorite read of mine, and I'm sure it will for others, as well.
Side Note To Those New To The Virginia Friends Series : For those looking for great reads, who haven't yet read the Virginia Friends Series - I'd highly recommend you add them to your must-read list. "Wasted Heart" features Austy and Elise, and one of the funniest and most engaging first chapters I've ever read. "Imagining Reality" features Jessie and Lauren, and speaks truthfully of love through change and growth. "Blessed Twice" features Briony and the wonderfully written M, and tells of second chances and the ability of love to overcome obstacles. ( Psst - "Uncommon Emotions", though not specifically featuring the Virginia Friends, does have a cameo by one of the couples. It's unexpected and very sweet. ) There are Special Editions of each of these titles currently available - each of which ends with the epilogues also featured here in "Finally".
In addition, if you're still looking for something to read : Lynn Galli's "Full Court Pressure", though not featuring our heroines from the Virginia Friends Series, is one of the best, sports-based, stories I've ever read. Well written and again featuring strong, competent and admirable female characters.
You truly cannot go wrong with a Lynn Galli book.
January 4, 2015
Finally is a pretty brisk, fun read, but probably a terrible place to begin reading Lynn Galli's work, given it concerns characters already familiar to her readers. As such, the Epilogues section is a bit disjointed and the two main stories have to really carry the load. But despite that, they both gave me an enjoyable read, and that's all anyone can ask for.
But seriously, read her other stuff first.
But seriously, read her other stuff first.
September 7, 2012
This has a couple of short stories and some epilogues that were also released in the special editions to her other books. Although I did enjoy seeing Willa and Quinn from her other books, I'm not sure the rest of the book is really necessary. I would probably have been happier seeing a full-length story for Willa and Quinn while scratching the shorter fair.
April 9, 2016
I re-read this because I was on a Lynn Galli binge. I'd forgotten that this was broken up into two short stories and then a series of epilogues for the other stories. The epilogues are interesting if you haven't seen them before, but I find myself wishing the Willa/Quinn story was full length. Willa is one of my favorite characters and I'd have liked to have gotten mode background on her.
September 25, 2012
True lily wonderful as are all her books.
December 26, 2019
3.5. Getting formulaic.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews