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| GIVEAWAY |
THE BREAKUP PROJECT
New Year , New Resolution, New Romance?
What happens when the best-laid plans break a friendship?
As the twin sister of hockey's hottest forward, romance-loving Bree Karlsson is used to being ignored, leading to a New York's resolution to not date any athlete in her goal to find Mr. Right. But what happens when the man who might prove to be her personal Mr. Darcy is her bother's hockey-playing best friend?
Mike Vaughan might be happy playing in Boston, but he'd be even happier if Bree could one day see him as more than a good friend. He agrees to help Bree with a special project in the hope she'll finally see him as something more. But when a misunderstanding ends in a Valentine's Day disaster, Bree realizes that her breakup project may have broken her friendship with Mike in two. Can she ever redeem her mistake?
This friends-to-more romance has plenty of heart, humour, and swoonworthy kisses in this first book of the Original Six, a sweet, slightly sporty Christian contemporary romance series.
My Review:
The inner dialogue of a reluctant sports fiction reader:
Me: (scanning my TBR pile) This one is up next.
Inner Book Nerd: (squeaking in alarm) But that's...that's...
Me: I know...
Inner Book Nerd: (voice dropping to a whisper) A hockey book!
Me: We're being brave this year, remember? Breaking out of our reading comfort zone.
Inner Book Nerd: (writhing on the floor while making gagging noises) Sports? Hero? The two don't belong in the same sentence, let alone a whole book!
Me: Now we'll have none of that. Pull yourself together. You're a book nerd. This is a book, and therefore your destiny.
Inner Book Nerd: (muttering) Over my ruffled pages. Humph.
Me: (sighing) It has rave reviews. People are swooning over Mike.
Inner Book Nerd:(perking up) I do enjoy a good swoon.
Me: So we can forgive him for being a hockey player...
Inner Book Nerd: (with a sneer of disdain) I wouldn't go that far!
Me: (in my most wheedling tone) C'mon...let's give it a try. One chapter and there's chocolate at the end of it no matter what you think.
Inner Book Nerd: Weelllll....as long as it's Lindt Intense Mint.
Me: (opening book) Deal.
Reading interlude
Inner Book Nerd: Hey, what are you doing?!
Me: (closing the book) We finished the chapter.
Inner Book Nerd: Since when do we stop at one chapter? Like ever?
Me: I thought we'd ease into things given that the hero is a...you know...sports personality.
Inner Book Nerd: Pshaw! He's also kind and considerate and dedicated to his faith and he hasn't let all the fame go to his head. Plus...
Me: Whoa! You're defending a hockey player hero?
Inner Book Nerd: (looking disgruntled) Well, somebody has to. Look what Bree has put him through already.
Me: (sighing sadly, but also feeling a bookish thrill over the fictional journey ahead) Yeah. This is clearly a case of unrequited love. Bree's just confused. She'll come around.
Inner Book Nerd: (quivering with indignation) What does she know? She dissed Mr. Darcy!
Me: Well, not exactly. She just said she wasn't looking for a Mr. Darcy type which clearly Mike isn't so it's all good. Chocolate?
Inner Book Nerd: Two squares and then we're back to reading. And mind you wash your hands before you pick up that book again. Nothing worse than chocolate smeared all over a page.
Me: (rolling my eyes) Yes ma'am.
Another reading interlude
Inner Book Nerd: Another bathroom break already?
Me: Just stretching my legs. I didn't think we'd be reading so long.
Inner Book Nerd: Well, make it snappy. We have to get back to it. I have a feeling things are going to go south in a really big way and we have to be there to support Mike.
Me: (trying not to gloat) So we're enjoying ourselves? On Team Mike now are we? What about Bree?
Inner Book Nerd: (casting a murderous glare) Seriously, she needs to control of herself, never mind trying to control everyone and everything around her!
Me: Yeah, I like what her mother said....um...here it is:
"In fact, I think the bible tends to encourage faith and patience, my dear. We can't twist God's arm simply because we want Him to hurry up and agree with our plans." (p 22)
Inner Book Nerd: Humph...like she's even listening.
Me: Maybe not now, but I think God's going to work a change in her...
Inner Book Nerd: (looking dejected) If she'll let Him!
Me: Oh, I think she will...eventually...Carolyn Miller will make sure of that.
Inner Book Nerd: Yeah, she's a pretty decent character wrangler, isn't she?
Me: (sitting back down and opening the book) Yes she is, so let's see how she manages to get these two together.
Yet another Reading Interlude
Inner Book Nerd: Whoa! Whoa! Whoooaaaaa!
Me: (looking alarmed) What's wrong?
Inner Book Nerd: I need a moment. This is getting intense.
Me: Oh, okay. (closing book)
Inner Book Nerd: DON'T CLOSE THE BOOK! What are you doing????? Why are you closing the book??? Don't you want to know what happens? Don't you need toe-curling kisses? Swoonworthy happily ever afters. Why. Is. That. Book. Still. Closed?
Me: (reaching into the bibliophile first aid kit and grabbing a paper bag.) Steady. You're hyperventilating. Here, breathe into this. That's right. Slow and steady. Feeling better?
Inner Book Nerd: (weakly) Yes. Sorry. It all got a bit too much for my sensitive reader heart but I'm good now.
Me: How about you just lie back on the fainting couch and I'll read the rest of the book to you? Just keep your eyes closed and keep that hyperventilating bag handy and we'll get through this together.
Final Reading Interlude
Inner Book Nerd: (blowing her nose vigorously) Oh, that ending was...was..
Me: (sighing blissfully) Sweet perfection.
Inner Book Nerd: (dabbing at her damp eyes) Yes...just...so romantical!
Me: (pushing the entire Kleenex box into IBN's hands) Seriously, get a grip and use a clean tissue. That one's shredding with tears and...ugh...just ugh.
Inner Book Nerd: (honking vigorously) Don't mock me! I see that look. You're all supremely smug and ready to tell me "I told you so..."
Me: Wellll....the thought had crossed my mind but I have something urgent to do first.
Inner Book Nerd: Like what? You love nana-boobooing me.
Me: Like ordering the next book in the series.
Inner Book Nerd: (emitting an ear-piercing shriek) There are more?
Me: Five more and the next one is about Brent!
Inner Book Nerd: Woohoo! Can we buy hockey jerseys to wear while we read? Huh, can we?
Goal Update: #1 Read more Indie Authors (hybrid author), #5 Diversify my reading, Australian author, Partial Canadian setting, #7 Start a new-to-me series, #9 Read outside my comfort zone, (hockey story!)
GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:
This giveaway is for a paperback copy.
If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Breakup Project, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT AND DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday March 12 2022. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck
I LOVE your review! I have seen this one around and everyone seems to enjoy it. I have not read this author before. Good job stepping out of your comfort zone! cilydav at hotmail dot com
ReplyDeleteCarolyn Miller is a fantastic author no matter what genre she writes. Good luck, Cindy!
DeleteAbsolutely loved your review and honesty. I don't usually read contemporaries so don't put me in the drawing, But almost for her books I would. haha
ReplyDeleteThanks, Diane. :-) I do read contemporary romance but sports fiction...not so much. lol This is a case of knowing the author's other work so I was willing to leap into the unknown with her.
DeleteLol …Different type of review but you make it sound like a good one. rrwalter34atgmaildotcom
ReplyDeleteIt's surprisingly good! Good luck, Becky!
DeleteClever review. PLease enter me.
ReplyDeletesweetdarknectar at gmail dot com
:-) You're in, Boos Mum. Good luck!
DeleteLOVED your review! I, too, a non-sports person, tend to stay away from sports themed books. However, after reading your review, I'm game. It's on my TBR list and I can't wait to read THE BREAKUP PROJECT. I have my kleenex supply built up and awaiting. Chocolates always on the ready. Now just to get the book into my possession.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the chance to win a copy!
2clowns at arkansas dot net
I love how you are always prepared for any readerly eventuality. :-) I'm surprised at how much I enjoyed this -- gasp -- sports romance. Good luck, Kay!
DeleteI’ve read this author’s regency books but not her contemporary. Thank you for sharing that wonderful review. You should write a book. leliamae54(at)aol(dot)com
ReplyDeleteIt's because of her Regency books that I trusted her in the contemporary genre. Carolyn Miller can't write a dude! Good luck, Lucy!
DeleteWhat an entertaining review! I do like sports but probably haven't watched hockey since the USA team beat Russia way back when in the Olympics (1980 something?). I enjoy Carolyn Miller's historical novels but haven't read any of this new contemporary series. I think I'd like this book.
ReplyDeletepmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com
I live in a Canadian town that has a home hockey team and I avoid all the hoopla by sticking my nose in a book. lol Good luck, Pam!
DeleteNow that's a great review! I've been keeping my eye on these new books from Caroline Miller. Looking forward to reading them!
ReplyDeletedmandres5 at gmail dot com
Thanks, Melissa. :-) I'm impressed with how this author can move between genres so easily. Love everything she writes. Good luck!
DeleteOkay, you just upped your review ante with this one Kav (and I already adore/love them). Such a fun look at your inner dialogue... which ironically sounds a bit like mine at times 😂
ReplyDeleteSeriously good review, seriously good sounding book!
teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com
Bwahahaha! The inner workings of a reader's mind aren't for the faint of heart. Good luck, Trixi!
DeleteSo impressed with your review (not that I wasn’t before)! I haven’t read Carolyn Miller’s contemporary books but loved her historicals so this will be a different read. And I adore sports books ;) so no need to drag me there kicking and screaming….
ReplyDeletemindyhoung at msn dot com
Thanks, Mindy. And wow, I think you're the first one to say you adore sports books!!!! This will definitely be your kind of read plus Carolyn Miller can do no wrong in my eyes. Good luck!
DeleteThanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteladysnowangelphotos(at)gmail(dot)com
Good luck, LSA!
DeleteToo funny! I don't read many indie authors, would love to give Carolyn a try.
ReplyDeletepattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com
You won't be disappointed. Good luck, Patty!
DeleteI think I may be too late for the giveaway but I love Carolyn Miller! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletecps1950 at gmail dot com
Not too late, I'm just about to do the draws. Good luck, Connie!
Delete