Review copy was received from Purchased. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Judging Covers by Kristen Beairsto on July 31, 2013
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 206
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Goodreads
Books have always been Juliet Marlowe's sanctuary; the one place she would never be judged or made to feel like an outcast. But when tragedy strikes, she has to get her nose out of the antique tomes she prefers and become the guardian of her five younger brothers and sisters.
Jules struggles to make ends meet. And with the constant threat of losing custody of her siblings if she doesn't maintain the standard of living previously set by her parents, she finds herself forced to make tough decisions and take risks.
One thing she knows for certain is she definitely does not have room in her life for a relationship. Especially with a man who's trying to readjust to civilian life and who once held a starring role in her secret fantasies. No, absolutely not, she does not have any room in her life for Roman Price and his smoldering gaze that triggers her irritating blushes with only a thought.
But when everything Jules has built threatens to collapse on her, she finds herself not only accepting Roman's offer of help, but starts to question whether or not she misjudged the situation from the beginning.
Trying to keep her head above water, paying off her deceased parents outstanding debts, keeping the house, and keeping all her younger siblings with her together and out of foster care, leads a bright woman to take on a secret persona. It’s only when her high school crush who served in the military comes over to do some much needed repairs that she learns there just might be a guy out there who would take on a woman with five extra strings attached.
There’s just something about an underdog story that will pull me in every time. Jules has moments of being put together, but more often she’s barely treading water. Roman brings the stability that having two share a burden can bring. He’s got life experience as a combat vet and he’s handy about the house. He sees something in Jules that she doesn’t see in herself. That was the part I really loved about this book.
But, sadly, there is just as much about it that put me off. Jules was like a Mensa Child getting into high school by age eleven and finishes grad school by twenty one. But common sense? Hmm… As much as I loved seeing her keep her siblings together, her solution was illegal and dangerous. And, she blithely pulls an ostrich-sand bit. That might have been justifiable, a little, if she had absolutely no one in her corner, but in reality, she pushed away her mom’s best friend and that family to go it alone. Made no sense. Then, there are mentions of them being hard up for bills and not able to afford a costume for her sister to be in the play, but a few pages over, here’s Jules out buying a new bathing suit and cover up for a casual backyard BBQ and pool party for the kids. Hello, there’s the electric or the water bill paid right there- and the funny part is she didn’t plan on swimming.
It also made no sense to me why Roman’s brother, who is sheriff, couldn’t have pointed her in the right direction when it came to giving advice. I get him wanting to stay impartial, but it was odd that he took that to the nth degree since I see police giving people advice all the time so they get things straightened out before a cop has to step in with the most drastic measures. To cap it off, the story just stops. They go from settling a huge conflict moment to a few sentences ending it before they even finished sorting stuff out.
So, the premise was good, but the execution and some of the plot points needed some massaging. Cute kids, good beginnings and middle to the relationship, and sweet family moments. Interesting bit of suspense. Not sorry I read it and it read quickly.
Kindle freebie on October 8, 2013 (currently unavailable at Amazon and Barnes & Noble as of writing this post)
Overall rating 3.46 with 13 ratings and 2 reviews
As a lifelong reader, it was inevitable that Sophia would discover book blogs and the joy of blog reviewing.Sophia is a prolific reader and audiobook listener which allows her to experience so many wonderful books, authors, and narrators.Few genres are outside her reading tastes, but her true love is fiction particularly history, mystery, sci-fi, and romance.Though, sorry, no horror or she will run like Shaggy and Scooby.
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Mmmm I feel like I would’ve struggled with this
Yeah, maybe so. It had some good points, but quite a bit that left me wanting, too.
It is a cute premise. Even with the flaws I might have to give this one a try. Though some of the issues you had with it would probably frustrate me, too. Hmm…
At the very least, its short and quick so its worth the gamble. 🙂
I do feel your frustration. Not sure I would want to pick this one up.
Yeah, it was free and short so it wasn’t a huge disappointment. But, I could see how it could have been better.
I probably would have had issues with the same things that you did. I really hate it when the story just kind of stops.
I hate being left with big questions. 🙂
It is frustrating when a character doesn’t take the offered help and decides to make bad decisions instead. At least this was a short one.
You said it, Rachel! She just really wasn’t making good choices. I was glad to get to one of the older freebies on my Kindle. 🙂
The ending would have made me mad but the premise of this book is one that I think I probably would have liked had it been done better.
Yeah, I went immediately to her backlist of books to see if there was a second book or if one was planned, but nope, an unresolved finish was all. At least it was balanced with good stuff like you say, Mary. 🙂
I’m glad it wasn’t all bad in the end. Characters lacking common sense would make me crazy hahah I hope the next one is far better read for you! 😀
Yes! Bad choices get me to muttering at my Kindle. 🙂 At least there was a balance of good stuff, too.
Hmmm… sounds cute and promising, but probably it’s not for me. Interesting that it’s no longer available!
I was glad to get to it for the Thrifty Thursday challenge. I’d get interested that it came off Amazon b/c then I’d think it was being prepped for a fresher edition and maybe the ending extended, but it came off Amazon too long ago for that.
This one sounds really disappointing especially when you go into a story expecting more than you receive. Execution on a good premise is key for a well done story!
Lovely review!
Well, I had no expectations going in, but I definite found the execution wanting especially at the end. Thanks, Renee!
Hmmm, not sure I would enjoy this one, but the premise sounds really good.
I was glad to try it, but it definitely had some rough parts, Vanessa.
Hmm, the premise sounds like one I’d enjoy, but your issues with it would probably be mine as well. Thanks for sharing!
That was exactly how I felt about it. Good premise and not so good on the development.