Rating: 
Summary: Girls Night
Review: I loved, loved, loved this book. It made me feel so good. I hated for it to end.
Rating:
Summary: A very touching, loving, adorable book!
Review: I must admit that I was a bit skeptical about this book due to the fact that the heroine was older with children and the guy was an ex-cop. I didn't want to read another book with unbelievable circumstances or ones with bratty, whiny kids. But this book had everything one could possibly love about a romance novel: a sexy, wonderful hero; a realistic, loving, deserving heroine; and the secondary characters (especially the two daughters) were wonderful. This author is tops in writing scenes between family members. I just loved everyone. There are some funny and touching scenes and the build-up of sexual tension between the two main characters sizzles and is definitely worth the wait. What I loved the most about this book is that there were no sub-plots with mystery, intrique, etc. While there is a dark side it is handled very responsibly and believably. After writing this review, I have convinced myself to change my initial 4-star rating to 5. It is beautifully-written book and I look so forward to tracking down this author's backlist.
Rating: 
Summary: Endearing
Review: I never read any of author Stef Ann Holm's historical romances, but I thought that the contemporary GIRLS NIGHT was charming. The jacket blurb notes that Ms. Holm is the mother of daughters, and the love she must feel for her own children spills over into the relationship she writes about in this novel.I liked the fact that the heroine and hero are slightly older than one finds in most such romances, an accurate reflection of a now-aging general population. As with real people, Jillene and Vince bare the battle scars of life, and neither one of them is eager to begin another relationship. Holm's entire story has the ring of truth to it. It is to this author's credit that her hero, and his own conflicts, are much more carefully detailed than is common in this type of book. Often, the man in a romance seems to be little more than background. Too, Vince's story is unique and intriguing. My only quibble is that the hilarious personal ad that the heroine's daughters have placed on her behalf--and without her knowledge--is not pursued as thoroughly as a subplot as it could have been. What there was of this story point was, indeed, side-splittingly funny, but there just was not enough of it. Nonetheless, GIRLS NIGHT never sinks into the banal and the predictable, as too many other romances do. It was charming and touching, right up to the end.
Rating:
Summary: Very Impressive!
Review: I really enjoyed Girls Night. I haven't ever read anything by Stef Ann Holm, so when a friend recommended this book, I was a little leery, as I am with any new author. But, be assured, this book was in no way a let down! Girls Night is the story of Jillene McDermott is a widower living with her two daughters, Faye and Claire, and their dog, Sugar. Jillene runs a coffee shop called Java the Hut (I laughed when I first read this) that was originally opened by her late husband David. Jillene is really struggling to make ends meet. She has no money for anything, food, shoes, repairs for her shop. She is considering bankruptcy, but doesn't want to give in. Then she meets local celebrity Vince Tremonti, a prolific true crime writer who has come back to Blue Heron Beach to get past some of his own demons. They meet in her coffee shop, and instant sparks. I loved the way they were atracted to each other right from the first, but Jillene was very shy, and neither thought it was the right time to get involved. Vince was a great guy. He really struggled in this book. I won't say why, but the portrayal of his struggles, and his what he had to go through was very realistic. He didn't want to get involved with Jillene and her family, but he couldn't help himself. Love happens and there is not much you can do. I was very happy with this book. It was a great story. It really portrayed Jillene as a strong, capable, modern day woman, who didn't have to rely on a man to fix things for her. She came up with her own solutions. Her daughters were great additions to the story too. They made wonderful characters. The side romance of Vince's father, Al, and a neighbor lady he had been in love with for a long time was just another great piece to this story. True, old fashioned romance was definitely alive in Blue Heron Beach. A well written story with good character development and plenty of chemistry.
Rating: 
Summary: Save your 8 bucks
Review: I started reading this book with high expectations due to the good reviews and can only say that I have not been so bored with a book in a long time. I found the plot formulaic, the heroine unlikeable, and, even though the book was marketed as a romantic comedy, it failed to tickle my funny bone even once during the entire reading. Despite the author's efforts to make the heroine seem tough, to me she came off as unreasonable and extremely incompetent. The only redeeming quality of the book was the likable hero but even that wasn't enough for me to recommend anyone to spend 8 hard earned bucks on this book.
Rating:
Summary: Save your 8 bucks
Review: I started reading this book with high expectations due to the good reviews and can only say that I have not been so bored with a book in a long time. I found the plot formulaic, the heroine unlikeable, and, even though the book was marketed as a romantic comedy, it failed to tickle my funny bone even once during the entire reading. Despite the author's efforts to make the heroine seem tough, to me she came off as unreasonable and extremely incompetent. The only redeeming quality of the book was the likable hero but even that wasn't enough for me to recommend anyone to spend 8 hard earned bucks on this book.
Rating:
Summary: Girls Night
Review: I thought this book was spectacular!!! I could not put it down...the characters in the book were so real and could easily be related to. I can't wait for her to write another book
Annette
Rating:
Summary: A single woman's treat
Review: I'm impressed! Now, I'm not a romance novel enthusiast. In fact, this is the first one I've ever read. I could really relate to the character and I rooted for her the entire book.
Rating:
Summary: A great read!
Review: I've loved Stef Ann Holm's historical romances for years. In her debut contemporary romance, she proves her versatility. Girls Night has all of the warmth and humor and magic of her historicals in a take-me-there contemporary setting. Jillene McDermott is weighed down by life and definitely not looking for love until the handsome Vince Tremonti crosses her path. You'll laugh and cry with Jillene as she faces the ups and downs of falling in love, running a business, and raising two precocious daughters whose good intentions often cause hilarious results. A really great read!
Rating:
Summary: wonderful second chance at love
Review: In Blue Heron Beach, Jillene McDermott worries about the future ever since her husband David suddenly died. David had taken care of the finances, but until his death Jillene had no idea how near fiscal meltdown their coffee shop Java the Hut is near. With two preadolescents to raise alone Jillene has no time for a personal life as her thirty-six hour days are consumed with her daughters and the shop. However, Claire and Faye love their mother and fret over how alone she is. They decide she needs a boyfriend to lighten her life so they write a personal ad in absentia for Jillene. Suddenly men enter their lives, of which all are no good for mom except true crime writer Vince Tremonti. Though attracted to Jillene, Vince is in town to see his father not to make a commitment even if he cannot resist the lure of the three McDermott females. There must be a googol of novels and movies (Parent Trap) based on the matchmaking machinations of children seeking a mate for their parent yet Stef Ann Holm keeps her contemporary tale fresh through strong lead characters. Though the two kids are typical of the theme as precocious yet almost adult like meddlers, the audience receives a wonderful second chance at love prime plot supported by the antics of the secondary characters (his father and her daughters). Fans of current day relationships dramas with a touch of humor, a bit of poignancy, and a lot of fun will delight in GIRLS NIGHT especially served with popcorn. Harriet Klausner
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