YES! I absolutely loved this reverse harem. I was hoping the angsty portion would be a little more prolonged, to really squeeze my heart, but it was still enough. The story flowed nicely, the characters were easy to fall in love with, everything was perfect. I really loved watching all the characters interact with Gia, and that they were all so accepting of her. Katherine is a real piece of work, as was, James. Some people with money are just so slimy and greedy, while others are loving and generous. I look forward to reading more curvy girl reverse harem books from this author!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Carrie Reedhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngCarrie Reed2023-01-19 07:12:362023-01-19 07:12:36Sharing His Nanny (Forever Our Girl Book 2) by Tori Chase – Review by Carrie Reed
I typically steer away from these rom-com genre of books, since my past experience was that the writing in these types of books was sub-par compared to darker and more intense reads. I’m thrilled to report that my assumptions were incorrect regarding this book. I was initially drawn in due to the plus-size main character, Stella, and the kink that accompanies the unique relationship she falls into. I was so pleasantly surprised to really connect to Stella and the other characters in the book. The writing was very well done and kept the reader thoroughly engaged throughout the story. Each character had a well developed personality, which added to the plot. This book was a fun, steamy, and entertaining read.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Brittany Porterhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngBrittany Porter2023-01-18 22:11:482023-01-27 07:45:19Sharing His Nanny (Forever Our Girl Book 2) by Tori Chase – Review by Brittany Porter
Delightfully naughty I absolutely loved this book. The banter, characters and steam kept me glued from start to finish. There’s a lot going on but it creates more interest and develops each character in their own right. There is a high amount of steam and kink between several characters so be warned. I really enjoyed the multiple POV as this made me more vested in the characters. So much fun to read. Highly recommend!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Rayne Easthttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngRayne East2023-01-15 00:46:372023-01-17 08:23:19Sharing His Nanny (Forever Our Girl Book 2) by Tori Chase – Review by Rayne East
Sharing His Nanny is the second book in the Forever Our Girl series by Tori Chase (aka-Deborah Garland). Tori Chase is Ms. Garland’s naughtier alter-ego, and if you listen closely enough, you really can hear the heat sizzling off these pages. Here we get a sizzling hot and steamy reverse harem story with menage, age gap, billionaire, stepbrother, curvy girl, d/s kink, angst, chemistry, tension, and emotion. Told from multiple POV’s, makes this story even more intriguing as it helps give a broader perspective of what’s happening. It felt like an original take on the movie ‘Three Men and a Baby”…. only a much steamier and kinkier version. I was instantly absorbed by the story, reading the entire book in one setting. I couldn’t get enough of this great story and all the sexy details- and found myself completely invested in the characters and the outcome of their story. Their chemistry is electric, and the sparks ignite into quite a captivating read! Bring on Book #3. Happy Reading…
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Angela Hayeshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAngela Hayes2023-01-14 22:55:042023-01-17 08:23:08Sharing His Nanny (Forever Our Girl Book #2) by Tori Chase – Review by Angela Hayes
I love RH and I’m so glad I read this! First book by this author and I wasn’t disappointed! I’m in love! The characters are great. The step mom sucks. But the men? My gosh! And I love when the female character is described as someone who’s my weight. I know how Stella felt when she was criticized about her weight. And I love when I can relate to a character! Makes the read that much better! And that spice? My goodness! I’m here for it. Stella is staying with her step brother and his 2 hot friends. I’m going to let you wonder what happened with that 😉 I highly recommend this book! Huge page Turner for me and I couldn’t put it down. I’ll be doing another re read of this sometime in the near future!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Ashley Sugarhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAshley Sugar2023-01-14 19:49:172023-01-17 08:19:11Sharing His Nanny (Forever Our Girl Book 2) by Tori Chase – Review by Ashley Sugar
Trigger warning pretty explicit and polygamy relationships. If you can’t handle mm stay away. Usually I don’t read my but the wording was good. Stella is indebted to Charles because she owes Charles mom money. So she becomes Gia’s live in nanny. Gia is Charles daughter. When she isn’t working as Gia’s nanny she is sleeping with Charles two best friends.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Angela Diazhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAngela Diaz2023-01-14 18:05:182023-01-17 08:18:02Sharing His Nanny (Forever Our Girl Book 2) by Tori Chase – Review by Angela Renee Diaz
A spicier book than I’ve read in a while! This book was near impossible to put down and not for the faint of heart! I loved the different dynamics each separate relationship held and I am sure I was blushing a few times! I enjoyed watching her grow and see herself as more than a “big girl”. But, all in all, a well put together novel I enjoyed every page of!!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00April McCoyhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngApril McCoy2023-01-14 08:16:332023-01-16 18:19:18Sharing His Nanny (Forever Our Girl Book 2) by Tori Chase – Review by April McCoy
Stella is on the brink of having everything she has ever wanted. Her plus-sized clothing line has received rave reviews and has a potential backer. Stella has a few problems. One, the backer hasn’t said yes yet. Two, the backer is technically her boyfriend. Three, said boyfriend has forgotten her birthday. Four, there is an outstanding loan to her stepmother that needs to be paid. When Stella goes to confront her boyfriend/backer about her birthday, Stella overhears him not only calling her fat and her clothes ugly, but that he is using her to improve his reputation to the woman with whom he plans to cheat on Stella.
Charles has just found out he is a father by the mom dropping the baby off at his office and taking off for an out of town job for a month. With his typical summer plans of debauchery ruined, Charles reluctantly agrees that Stella can stay with him to be his nanny. Charles has to fight his attraction to Stella because she is in name only his step-sister. He was an adult when his mother married Stella’s father and never lived with her, only seeing her at random holidays. Charles doesn’t know anything about Stella. When Charles’ friends, Jordan and Alex, also develop feelings for Stella everything becomes a confusing mess.
WOW!!! This one had me hooked from the opening paragraph. I absolutely loved the way Stella is proud of her curves and doesn’t cave to anyone’s opinions or beliefs about how she should live her life! The conversation, the wit, the humor, the interaction were all fantastic. The steam was so hot that I think I saw the words dripping off the pages as I read them. I also like the interspersing of characters from the other novels by this author. That was fun! This book was unputdownable. Fantastic, relatable characters with flaws and scars. Drama and tension that made the story more and palpable. Dayum!! This will be one of my favorites all year!!! Flipping phenomenal!!!!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00M Policicchiohttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngM Policicchio2023-01-13 14:34:322023-01-16 18:10:12Sharing His Nanny (Forever Our Girl Book 2) by Tori Chase – Review by M Policicchio
An entertaining and enjoyable romance, which kept me happily turning the pages. Set at a Malibu beach house, up and coming plus-sized designer Stella has to act as a nanny for a month to a four-month-old baby. The baby belongs to Stella’s older stepbrother Charles, who never even noticed her, but who she had a crush on. Just as Stella thinks she can handle the situation and earn enough money to launch her own fashion line, she learns that as well as Charles, two of her stepbrother’s friends will also be staying at the beach house. After some innocent flirting with both Jordan and Alex it turns into nights of steamy pleasure with them both, whilst Charles watches but keeps his distance. For Charles, Stella is his forbidden little sister, his employee, the hired help, and his nanny. However, the longer Charles resists, the more explosive it will be when the couple give into their taboo fantasies. Stella’s plan is to survive the month and then go back to her life as though nothing happened with the three men, but she doesn’t know what their plan is. The setting in Malibu is brought to life by the descriptive narrative and made me feel immersed in the story. I liked that the heroine of the story, Stella is a plus-sized women, as that is unusual in romance novels. The characters are well defined and their chemistry really sizzled off the page resulting in some steamy scenes, so it’s definitely a book for adult readers.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jennifer Gordonhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJennifer Gordon2023-01-13 12:48:432023-01-16 18:07:47Sharing His Nanny (Forever Our Girl Book 2) by Tori Chase – Review by Jennifer Gordon
Charles, Jordan and Alex have a yearly tradition of spending month on beach every year where they can be the party playboys they want to be. However, this year is different because Charles has 4-month-old baby with him. His stepsister, through a series of unfortunate events, is hired as his nanny.
Stella wants nothing more than to make her dream come true to become a fashion designer. She just needs to make it through to the month so she can get the financial backing she needs. However, the three men at the house are very tempting. She soon finds herself in bed with Jordan and Alex, hoping Charles will want to join. But…there are a lot of things going on behind the scenes that quite problematic. Can they make things work? Or will Stella be leaving after the month is over?
I really enjoyed these characters. I like how Stella believes in herself and is comfortable enough in her own skin to stand her ground when others are out to tear her down. She was going to chase her dream while maintaining her dignity. There were some hot scenes that had me fanning myself. I liked how the characters from other stories made cameos in this book. A fun and sexy read!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Rosanna Ingramhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngRosanna Ingram2023-01-12 22:58:252023-01-16 18:02:12Sharing His Nanny (Forever Our Girl Book 2) by Tori Chase – Review by Rosanna Ingram
sinfully deliSharing His Nanny and it was HOT, Hot, hot! This is the second book in the Forever Our Girl series. I love that the main FMC was BBW comfortable in her own skin. This Erotica Rom Com has it all for one sexual, sensual, spicy, steamy story. Think Three Men and a Baby only with a super sexy nanny and erotica. The story is interesting and engaging and is plot driven and as we get to know the characters and follow their journey. They each have their own voice as told in their own POV giving a deeper insight into what is happening. I fell in love with each of them and felt for them when things were rough. This reverse harem story is chock-a-block full of everything – stepbrother/stepsister, brother’s best friends, age gap, bi, MM/FMM/MFM/FMMM, D/s and kink tropes then you will like this one. Some would say it is full of taboo themes but I think it is just the way it is meant to be. There is a lot going on and there is humour and a little angst. Some things annoyed me at times but hey they are only (fictional) human. She needs financial backing and he needs a nanny, simple right? All in all it was a sinfully delightful fun read and I look forward to reading more from this author.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jenni Bishophttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJenni Bishop2023-01-12 18:32:432023-01-16 17:56:32Sharing His Nanny (Forever Our Girl Book 2) by Tori Chase – Review by Jenni Bishop
What a fantastic read filled with such wonderful characters who have so much heart! Charles, Jordan and Alex are real playboys who spend their summer break relaxing and having sex, sex and more sex! They know things will be very different this year when Charles must bring his 4 month old baby daughter with them and his stepsister becomes his nanny! They are all attracted to the beautiful Stella and must decide how to handle that. Add in new found attractions within their own friendships and life is about to get very complicated but oh so interesting. This fabulous book will keep you captivated from start to finish! oh and a piece of advice…keep a cold drink and fan handy you will NEED IT!!! LOL I can’t wait to read more books by this truly talented and creative author.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Juleshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJules2023-01-12 16:04:582023-01-16 15:06:33Sharing His Nanny (Forever Our Girl Book 2) by Tori Chase – Review by Jules Herbert
This was an enjoyable steamy romance read. I loved the characters. Each of them have a story which was interesting to uncover . I especially love Stella. She is a strong and feisty woman who won’t let anyone stop her dreams of being a fashion designer and she is prepared to do anything to make that happen. Even if it means becoming a nanny for her handsome stepbrother. Despite the attraction she feels she knows this is her one chance to make her dreams to come true. Besides it’s only for a month what could go wrong?
This is a story full of passion and attraction. Not only between Stella and her stepbrother Charles but also his 2 friends Alex and Jordan. But what happens when the month is over and reality hits. They can all go back to their normal lives right? Boy how wrong they all are.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Kerry Carrhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngKerry Carr2023-01-11 07:59:552023-01-16 14:54:29Sharing His Nanny (Forever Our Girl Book 2) by Tori Chase – Review by Kerry Carr
Sharing his nanny was a good read. I admit I’m not one who reads m/m books. I love books with heat and thought I’d give this book a shot. Charles, Alex and Jordan have been best friends for years. They always spend 1 month a year at the beach house where anything goes. This year, Charles finds out he has a 4 month old daughter and Stella is hired to be her nanny. While Stella cares for Gia, she is spending time with Jordan and Alex. Both really Seem to care for Stella. She has been dealt A horrible Hand and has been having a string of bad luck. Between her ex James, stuff with her dad and her step-monster but between Charles, Jordan and Alex they vow to make everything better. Will the 4 of them defy the odds. Will they be able to overcome everything getting in the way? I have to admit being a nanny myself, I couldn’t resist this steamy deliciously scandalous read!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Michelle Mulveyhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngMichelle Mulvey2023-01-11 07:25:332023-01-16 14:54:17Sharing His Nanny (Forever Our Girl Book 2) by Tori Chase – Review by Michelle Mulvey
This story kind of kind of felt like a modern Cinderella. We had the wicked stepmother and not only 1 prince, but 3. Stella is just trying to make her life work. It falls apart but she does falls into a dreamy situation. I found this to be an okay story. It’s very steamy. The story was good. I do love it when bad boys get their comeuppance and the good girl wins her dreams. Her struggle is real and the story does a wonderful job of showing it. It’s a good romance for those that love reverse harem romances.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Shelly Kittellhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngShelly Kittell2023-01-11 05:55:002023-01-16 14:54:02Sharing His Nanny (Forever Our Girl Book 2) by Tori Chase – Review by Shelly Kittell
A billionaire, a lawyer, and a personal trainer walk into a Malibu beach house with a four-month-old baby…and no idea what to do. Sounds like a story you’ve heard before, right?
Add a curvy nanny they can’t keep their hands off and a summer vacation goes from sunny to scorching.
Stella:
I’m an up-and-coming plus-sized designer who gets strong-armed into playing nanny for a month so I’ll have enough money to put my fashion line into production. Sounds like an easy plan.
Only, the dad of that baby is my first crush. The star of my late-night fantasies beneath the sheets. The guy who never noticed I was alive.
Charles Harlow. Older. Rich as sin. Sex on a stick. And my step-brother.
I can handle this. One month caring for an adorable baby and my money troubles will be solved.
It’s living with three chiseled alphas that might be my downfall. Especially when innocent flirting with Jordan and Alex turns into nights of pleasure at their rough hands.
All while my employer…my step-brother…watches us with the look of a predator. He’s hungry for me too, but keeps his distance.
I’m the nanny. The hired help. The forbidden little sister. The longer Charles resists, the more explosive it will be when we give into our taboo desires.
One month… I’ll have my money to launch my fashion line and we’ll all go back to our lives as if none of this ever happened, right?
Tori Chase is now an Award-Winning Reverse Harem Romance Author. Shared by Her Trainers is the 2022 New Jersey Romance Writers Golden Leaf Winner. Tori is the ultra-sexy side of Deborah Garland and writes scenes she can’t put her husband’s name on. Follow Tori and Deborah on Amazon for new releases.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/sharinghisnanny.jpg1200800itsybitsybookbitshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngitsybitsybookbits2023-01-11 00:01:262023-01-23 22:41:14Sharing His Nanny (Forever Our Girl Book 2) by Tori Chase
This book was definitely a page turner! I found myself full of emotions reading every page just rooting for Peggy to regain her confidence. Your heart strings will be tugged on as you understand her space as a struggling widow, overweight, teenage twins, and all of the cares of life, including being a stay at home mom! I love that she makes friends, even though she is nervous of them, and regains her self esteem and begins to believe in herself when she listens to her daughters sound advice. This story is very relatable, and I enjoyed every page!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Ashley McMillonhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAshley McMillon2022-12-06 21:45:372022-12-06 21:45:37More Than by Diane Barnes – Review by Ashley McMillon
This is the first book I have read from this author and wow I am hooked. I love a good woman’s fiction book but this story exceeded all my expectations. I was glued to my seat until the last page. You will fall in love with all of the characters. It truly made me cry tears of joy. It only took me a few hours to devour this amazing story. I can’t wait to see what this amazing author is going to write about next.
Peggy Moriarty lived for her twins after her husband died in a horrible accident. She didn’t realize that she was not taking care of herself and now she is way over weight. Peggy doesn’t know what to do when her two babies are now going to college. She is given a bootcamp program to help her find herself and to lose some weight. Peggy never expected to make friendships as well. Will Peggy find her old self or will it be too late?
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Heather Basshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngHeather Bass2022-12-02 00:25:142022-12-08 14:18:52More Than by Diane Barnes – Review By Heather Bass
Fantastic book…I loved this story so much and it felt so real, the struggle and trying to move on.
Peggy is a mother of twins, whom are ready to leave and go away to college. Peggy struggles with the reality of becoming an empty-nester and also still mourning her husbands untimely death. When Peggy’s children, Greg and Grace give Peggy a gift of a “boot camp style” gym …… to work on herself … at first Peggy wanted nothing to do with it. Once Peggy joins and meets new friends in Carmen and Roni..this friendship is what Peggy needed. When Peggy meets Henry..she discovers that there can be a new life to discover after losing her husband….just takes some time to realize. Can Peggy truly move on?
This story is truly a must read…the story flowed so easily and the book was hard to put down. I wanted to keep turning the pages on what is going to happen next for Peggy… fantastic fantastic fantastic read!!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Lorralei Hoernerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngLorralei Hoerner2022-11-25 21:06:362022-11-29 13:53:53More Than by Diane Barnes – Review by Lorralei Hoerner
I LOVED this book. This is definitely the type of book with a main character that is so relatable. I think that most women can relate to that feeling of losing themselves. Peggy lost herself in raising her children, who no longer need her. Now its time for her to reinvent herself, or find herself again. She is obsessed with a television show with a medium who can talk to the dead. This makes sense, since she lost her husband years ago. She is always starting a new diet – tomorrow – especially since the dr is harping on her. However, as her kids are leaving for college, they give her a gift one that might just be the key to finding herself. I do not have any children, yet, I found myself really relating to the character of Peggy. I could relate to the not knowing who you are anymore. The always thinking that the next diet starts tomorrow. The longing for something else, something different, something for her. This book was amazing and is definitely something that I didn’t want to end. I can not recommend this enough!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Christinehttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngChristine2022-11-25 17:28:462022-11-29 13:46:24More Than by Diane Barnes – Review by Christine Baranek
This story focuses on Peggy’s transition from being a stay-at-home mom to her twins, daughter and son, as they leave for college and she embarks on her new way of life. With her husband passing away when the twins were away from a tragic accident, her sole focus has been on her children and making sure they are on the right path towards independence and making the right choices. Now she must find her own way and take better care of herself. She meets some unexpected people that help her in ways she didn’t think they ever could. As a result, she starts developing habits and goals to strive for a better self. So many mothers and fathers can relate to this story. We as parents heavily focus on the children’s successes and activities that we tend to leave ourselves in last place. I myself have fallen into this spectrum and even though each of us are on different paths and phases in our own journeys, we can use stories like these as motivators for our own goals and dreams. This story is so relatable and an easy read. Very much taking a close look at Peggy’s side of her story.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jennifer Ramoshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJennifer Ramos2022-11-25 16:27:262022-11-29 13:45:33More Than by Diane Barnes – Review by Jennifer Ramos
Since losing her husband 14 years ago Peggy has devoted herself to raising her twins Grace and Greg, They have been her entire life focus and in many ways she has neglected herself to always be there for them. As they leave for college they gift her a boot camp class which upsets her greatly but eventually becomes a turning point in her life. This was an a very relatable story filled with emotion and heart.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Juleshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJules2022-11-25 14:04:352022-11-29 13:41:57More Than by Diane Barnes – Review by Jules Herbert
This was a very heartwarming, funny, and emotional read for me. I haven’t read anything from this author before, but I will be picking up other books from her because this was uplifting. Peggy has spent her whole life devoted to others. Once her husband passed, she focused on being a single mother to her twins. She finds herself alone more and more as the twins get older, and after they move out, she begins discovering herself again. Will the new changes push her back into her shell, or will she realize that she is more than her duty as a mother and widow?
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Shannen Kernhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngShannen Kern2022-11-25 12:35:522022-11-29 13:41:14More Than by Diane Barnes – Review by Shannen Kern
An enjoyable and engaging story which had me hooked from start to finish. Following the death of her husband, Peggy Moriarty’s life has revolved around her twins, Grace and Greg, but now they are teenagers and don’t need Peggy as much. Having been a single Mum, she’s at a loss of what to fill her time with and her only hobby is watching a show about a Medium who connects bereaved people with their deceased loved ones, ‘Messages from Beyond’. Grace and Greg give their Mum a gift certificate for an exercise class when they leave for college, and having got over feeling insulted, Peggy throws herself into getting in shape and eating healthily. However, her aim is to gain enough confidence to go on ‘Messages from Beyond’, and talk to her late husband one last time. Having made friends at the gym, they along with her daughters boyfriend’s mother, Carmen help Peggy to emerge from her shell and spread her wings. Before long Peggy discovers that she’s not just a mother, and a widow, and that her body issues don’t define her either. This was such a touching and emotional read, Peggy is such a likeable and relatable character that I felt instantly engaged with her. The storyline took me on an emotional rollercoaster and it deals with difficult subjects such as, bereavement, grief, and body and weight issues, sensitively and realistically. All the characters are well defined and add to the overall all storyline, and the plot kept me happily turning the pages. Both the story and the characters stayed with me long after I had finished the last page.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jennifer Gordonhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJennifer Gordon2022-11-25 11:55:062022-11-25 12:09:34More Than by Diane Barnes – Review by Jennifer Gordon
This was a very emotional story for me to read because I related to Peggy in so many ways. I have struggled with weight and self confidence and also becoming a mother and losing my identity. This story covers an issue which isn’t really discussed which leaves women feeling alone and like it’s just them going through it.
Since losing her husband Peggy has been working hard to raise her twins and carry on with her life. As the time has gone on Peggy has lost herself. All she sees herself as is a widow and a mother. Everything about her such as her confidence has gone and over time her weight has increased making her more unhappy. With her children leaving for college she now had the task of readjusting her life. Maybe now is time to think about herself.
We follow Peggy on her journey from a unconfident mother who has lost her identity to a beautiful person who is a mother but also so much more than that.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Kerry Carrhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngKerry Carr2022-11-25 09:15:522022-11-25 12:07:42More Than by Diane Barnes – Review by Kerry Carr
I loved every moment of this book. Peggy was Very real, raw, and flawed as any and all human beings can be. Losing her husband and raising her kids alone truly isolated and put her into a place where she felt she had no one and her survival mode was food, her children, and her home. She proved to be was an amazing character! Even though she got to a place in her life that made her unaware and complacent just trying to live….when she was given the opportunity to spread her wings again she did. She transformed that fear and place of sadness and became the remarkable woman she once was. Her goals were her own, and when she found a man who saw her and appreciated her that was the icing on the cake. Anyone can end up where Peggy did, but how many can rise again? Peggy was Very real, raw, and flawed as any and all human beings can be. Losing her husband and raising her kids alone truly isolated and put her into a place where she felt she had no one and her survival mode was food, her children, and her home.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Laurenhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngLauren2022-11-25 03:12:172022-11-25 12:05:30More Than by Diane Barnes – Review by Lauren West
I have to say that this book had me at a loss for words, it was amazing! I have not read a book by this author before and was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed reading this. I found myself not able to put it down when I was working and found myself wanting to be off of work so I could keep reading and find out what happened. I cannot wait to read more books by this author. I cannot wait to tell my friends about this book!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Carlie Del Gallohttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngCarlie Del Gallo2022-11-24 18:01:172023-08-05 13:50:14More Than by Diane Barnes – Review by Carlie Del Gallo
This book surprised me for several reasons, some good, some bad. This book has a heartwarming story with a fantastic ending. The author is right that it is not the amount of weight you lose when starting a weight loss journey, but about how you feel about yourself during and at the end of the journey. The weight is just a number.
Peggy is fighting more battles than she knows. Fourteen years ago, her husband was tragically taken from her. Luckily, he provided enough for her to be able to stay at home and raise their twins. Now the twins are graduating high school and headed off to college, trying to start their own lives. Peggy has really not paid attention to herself since her husband died. She saw herself as the twins’ mom. Peggy has gained some weight. Peggy has also developed a small obsession with a tv show about a medium that speaks to folks that have passed away. Peggy feels that if she went on the show, she would finally get validation from her husband that she raised their twins right. Peggy’s daughter said that her father would not recognize Peggy from all the weight she has gained. So Peggy’s daughter and son give Peggy an exercise program. Peggy struggles with the decision to go.
Peggy finally goes and meets some new people, developing friendships. This is something Peggy hasn’t had since her husband died and she started identifying herself as “the twins’ mom”. As Peggy learns to manage the new friendships, the changing relationships with her children, the desire to hear from her husband, and life in general, Peggy is gaining more than she is losing.
Although I don’t agree with how the author presents Peggy’s weight, the delightful story about Peggy finding herself is a fantastic read. As a lifelong bonus-sized individual, I have learned that it is not about the number on scale, it is about who you are as a person. I was so happy to read about the picture Peggy’s son texted her, finally getting everything she needed.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00M Policicchiohttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngM Policicchio2022-11-23 22:48:092022-11-25 12:08:38More Than by Diane Barnes – Review by M Policicchio
There is struggle with extended grief and depression mixed with humor. Barnes captures the reality of depression and issues with self-image through the main character Peggy. Penny is such a relatable character and brings humor to the story. I was pleasantly surprised the way Peggy’s struggle with her weight was told in the story. It was entertaining, positive, and kept the pages turning late into the night. This is a wonderful read! Review by @bilberrysweet
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Brandy Vaughnhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngBrandy Vaughn2022-11-23 21:43:122022-11-25 12:01:26More Than by Diane Barnes – Review by Brandy Vaughn
I loved the book More Than! It was a light hearted book but also pretty inspirational and creative approach to dieting. Peggy is a widowed stay at home mom, who has spent years eating her feelings. Her kids are off to college and she has to find a way to cope with her empty nest. She has focused on being a mom for so long, she lost her own identity and realizes she is alone in the world with her kids gone. As a gift, they gave her a prepaid boot camp (diet gym camp). She dreads the idea but finds good reason for wanting to get back in shape. I loved seeing Peggy make friends and rediscover herself. It’s hard to start over and re enter the dating world… it’s even harder as a middle aged widow who is overweight and has no self esteem. I loved the book and will be reading more by this author.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Elizabeth Sanchezhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngElizabeth Sanchez2022-11-23 20:00:282022-11-25 11:59:07More Than by Diane Barnes – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez
We may request cookies to be set on your device. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website.
Click on the different category headings to find out more. You can also change some of your preferences. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer.
Essential Website Cookies
These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features.
Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refuseing them will have impact how our site functions. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site.
We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain.
We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. You can check these in your browser security settings.
Google Analytics Cookies
These cookies collect information that is used either in aggregate form to help us understand how our website is being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are, or to help us customize our website and application for you in order to enhance your experience.
If you do not want that we track your visit to our site you can disable tracking in your browser here:
Other external services
We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Changes will take effect once you reload the page.
Google Webfont Settings:
Google Map Settings:
Google reCaptcha Settings:
Vimeo and Youtube video embeds:
Other cookies
The following cookies are also needed - You can choose if you want to allow them:
Privacy Policy
You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page.