Book Review

I received Love on a Dime by Cara Lynn James from Thomas Nelson Publishers recently.

From the publisher:

In age of elegance and excess, Lilly Westbrook longs for a love both true and eternal.

Newport, Rhode Island, 1899, is a place of shimmering waves, sleek yachts, and ladies of leisure. Of opulent mansions that serve as summer cottages for the rich and famous. Home of railroad magnates and banking tycoons--dashing young men and the women who aspire to marry them.

But it's not the place for lady novelists. Especially not those who pen disreputable dime novels. This poses a problem for Lilly Westbrook, because that's exactly what she does.

No one in Lilly's social set knows she pens fiction under the nom de plume Fannie Cole. Not her family or the wealthy young man about to propose to her. And especially not Jackson Grail, the long-lost beau who just bought her publishing company...and who stirs her heart more than she cares to admit.

But Lilly must put aside her feelings and follow the path that will maintain her family's social stature and provide the financial security that everyone is depending on.

Now Lilly faces a double dilemma. Can she continue to protect her secret identity? And will she have the courage to choose the man who will risk it all just to win her heart.

My Thoughts:

I admit being somewhat skeptical about this book simply because it isn't my usual genre.

This is the author's debut novel and is an enjoyable summer read. It is light and quick.

The trouble that I face with this genre is that the story often feels predictable. This was true with this book. The characters, who are fairly well developed, do have struggles but the overall plot felt very predictable.

Because this is a light, quick read and is enjoyable, it is easier to overlook the predictability of the plot line.

The author has another book coming in January, 2011 within the Ladies of Summerhill series.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson for providing the book for review.