Lucky at Love: Some Guys Just Never Give Up… by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
aodre Cynthia writing style. I absolutely adore Jake characters an older man. Cynthia goes into great detail and has extremely descriptive writing style. Allison finds herself at the top of her career. The banter between Allison and Jake is classic.
Lucky at Love: Some Guys Just Never Give Up… by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I’ve become such a fan of Cynthia Hamilton’s the more I read her work. This book was no exception. It hits on the fact different people have different opinions on the thing we call “love.” The scenic picturesque environments the characters find themselves in set the mood for romance and steamy scenes between the two. Jake has experience in love. The scenery is beautifully described, the characters are easy to love and their stories are inspirational to capture your interest. I enjoyed this book very much.
Alligators in the trees by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I enjoyed the vulnerability this book displayed of each character and not even just the main character. It showed depth to their inner emotions, their drive, ambition and what made them who they are. This book takes us deeper into each characters’ lives propelling forward to seek their own inner happiness without falling purely for and through lust. Very captivating read: I very much enjoyed how deep it kept getting because it’s human nature to want to be our best selves. Very beautifully done, Ms. Cynthia Hamilton. Bravo!
Finding Ruth by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Wow, this was an emotional read made even more poignant by the fact that it is written by the author, Cynthia who is Ruth’s daughter. Part memoir and part fictionalised biography, ‘Finding Ruth’ tells the story of Ruth’s life. Ruth was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and so was unable to provide any insight into her life before she became ‘Mom’, and so the author literally turned detective to discover what her mothers life had been like before, as Cynthia says, “Alzheimer’s stole her memories”.
The author begins the book by explaining how she came to write this novel and it was all down to the discovery of the eye catching photograph of Ruth taken in 1949 which is on the front cover of the book. The author had never seen this photo before and it only came to light as she was going through her mother’s possessions prior to her moving into a skilled nursing facility. This beautiful photo of a very glamorous looking young Ruth got her daughter thinking how little she knew of her mother’s life and being an author she did was she does best and put pen to paper to fill in the missing memories. The photograph had me intrigued before I had even opened the book and then once I began reading Ruth and Cynthia’s story I was hooked from beginning to the very last page.
You can tell how much research has gone into this book, in reconstructing her mother’s life the author looked at photos, letters, public records and firsthand memories but you can also feel how much love and emotion has gone into this original and unique story. Ruth’s life reads as a novel, having dealt with ill fated relationships, heartbreak and also high points in her life. Remembering that the main character, Ruth, is actually a real person just makes the story all that more remarkable as is the women herself. As her daughter writes, Ruth always stayed strong and survived what ever life through at her even Alzheimer’s. The book covers sixty years of a life well lived and not only is it a wonderful story and a fitting memoir but both the reader and the author gain a much better understanding of Ruth herself.
This is a heartwarming read and I recommend you have a box of tissues handy, but it is also inspirational and empowering and I can not recommend it highly enough.
Finding Ruth by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Finding Ruth: A Daughter’s Quest to Discover Her Mother’s Past by Cynthia Hamilton
4 Stars!!!!
I really found that I went through a roller coaster of emotions reading this book. I think that the author did a wonderful job of dealing with a very sensitive subject. There are many families out in the world that I am sure are dealing with different stages of this very scenario.
I found that I really got grabbed by this book and although not in my regular favourite genre really enjoyed it. The emotions that it brings to the surface really tug at your heartstrings. Alzheimers is a very viscous disease and this book really portrays how difficult and uncertain things can be when dealing with a relative with this illness. I like how the author was able to navigate the twists and turns that can be dealt with. I would definitely read more from this author in the future.
Reviewed by @caraleeloonat
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Finding Ruth by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Wow! What a great job Cynthia Hamilton has done with her mother’s story! I was glued to the pages and I could feel the emotions in her words as I read. Alzheimer’s is a very difficult disease to watch someone you love struggle with this there are no words. I commend Cynthia Hamilton for doing research and piecing together her mother’s story I truly hope it helped her during her time of dealing with an emotional roller coaster.
Lucky at Love: Some Guys Just Never Give Up… by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
“It’s a take on the notion of being addicted to love.” As soon as I saw Judith’s reaction, I knew I was out on a limb. I didn’t want to give her the impression this was to be a soppy, romantic, swept-off-one’s-feet piece. True, I did intend the story to be about love, or what passed for love in some people’s minds. But it was the downside of romance that I was really angling for. I wanted to explore the hypothesis that some people are actually obsessed with falling in love, literally hooked on the thrill of new romance. I cleared my throat and pressed on. ”
Lucky at Love: Some Guys Just Never Give Up… is another enthralling read by Cynthia Hamilton. I know I keep raving about Ms. Hamilton’s books and how much I love her writing- but I can’t help it, she really does know how to tell a captivating story and she never fails to impress me.
This is another book of hers that I really wasn’t sure about, going into it- I thought it would be a nice and easy read. So, I was really surprised, very early on, by just how fantastic it really was. I definitely didn’t expect to love it quite as much as I did- and I certainly didn’t expect to become so completely invested in the characters as the story progressed.
I really want to go on and on about all the elements of the story that I loved- but I think that by giving you those details might spoil the story for you. I think the blurb gives enough of an idea of what to expect but keeping enough back to make this a very intriguing read.
This seemingly simplistic story hides a more richly textured, character driven plot that explores so many notions such as human nature, connection, love, romance, emotion, and so much more.
A true Pearl of a story!
Thank you, Cynthia Hamilton!
Reviewed by @angelahayes
Lucky at Love: Some Guys Just Never Give Up… by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Another page turner from Hamilton! I love how versatile Hamilton is and found another heartfelt piece of fiction to gladly add to my collection. I loved this book and found the characters to be relatable and well developed. Will highly recommend to others.
Reviewed by @heatherlovelace
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Alligators in the trees by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The three main characters, Priscilla, Phil, & Tobias, meet in a diner in Manhattan. Each of them have different life experiences and issues they are struggling with and this chance meeting starts their healing process. There were some parts that seem to take it slow, which make it a little hard to keep reading but it didn’t make me stop.
I have read several books by Ms. Hamilton. I love how she creates characters who are interesting, believeable, and hook you into the story because you can connect with them so well.
Lucky at Love: Some Guys Just Never Give Up… by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Lucky at Love (Some guys just never give up)
By Cynthia Hamilton
4 out of 5 stars
I wasn’t sure entirely what to expect when I picked up Lucky in Love but I’ve truly come to love Cynthia Hamilton as a writer so I felt it was worth a chance. The book was longer than I anticipated but kept my attention well. It was easy to read and a nice story to relax with at night. What surprised me most about this novel was how much I came to like Jake. Going into the storyline I thought for sure he would be the character you love to hate! What was not as surprising was the fact that I can add this to the list of books I enjoyed by Cynthia Hamilton. If you haven’t checked out her writing yet, why not start here?
Alligators in the trees by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I have never found a Cynthia Hamilton novel I didn’t thoroughly enjoy and Alligators in the Trees is no exception to the rule. I loved this one and the adventure it took me on to New York City. I wasn’t sure with a title like Alligators in the Trees what we would be getting but this was a deep, thought provoking read that drew me in right from the start until the very last page.
We meet Priscilla, the main connecting point of three main characters, and the seedy dive bar style coffee shop she works at in New York. She herself has a life she wishes could be better in a lot of ways but when Tobias and Phil walk into the shop things will take off in ways she never expected. Both Phil and Tobias have dark pasts that are currently haunting them and making it difficult to move forward in their lives. They will all have to work hard at their own lives to move forward and the journey is one you won’t want to miss out on following. I am also excited to hear there will be more of this novel in a sequel and I am so here for it.
Review by @lizaileen
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Alligators in the trees by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
When I first saw the title for this book I wasn’t quite sure what to expect but the synopsis sounded interesting so I thought that I would give it a try and I have to say I was quite captivated by what I read. I have read work by this author previously so I knew the writing would be good but I really enjoyed the characters. The way the author wove them together and their stories was really great, I felt like I really got to know them throughout the story. They were all different characters but I really liked all of them and they were believable as people, for me this really helped me connect with them. I liked that the book was really character orientated, it was about them more so than a story – this made the book really enjoyable and different to read.
Overall I really enjoyed this story and would absolutely recommend it to other readers.
Alligators in the trees by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Alligators in the Trees by Cynthia Hamilton
Four Stars
Alligators in the Trees was a great story following three different people who work or frequent Frank’s Coffee Shop. All are unique characters and the plot is extraordinarily detailed, and so very interesting. Once I started reading I couldn’t put it down until the end. I enjoyed meeting and following Tobias, Philip and Priscilla through their problems, decision making and life changing processes as they find a way to love their lives again. This story was a truly enjoyable adventure. Cynthia Hamilton did a great job with this book and I look forward to reading more books by her in the future.
Review by @sunbarn
Lucky at Love: Some Guys Just Never Give Up… by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
5 Star
Lucky at Love (Some guys just never give up) by Cynthia Hamilton is a wonderfully written story that I absolutely devoured. I’ve read other books by this author and was very excited about this one, which is now on my list of favorites. I loved this story which is about Jake and Allison He’s a man who feels unlucky in love and has been divorced seven times, she’s a journalist who decides to dig in deeper into why people fall in and out of love and Jake is the perfect example of just that. What she didn’t realize is there may be more to Jake than what she thinks. The more she learns about him she begins to question herself about her own life. Find out what happens next in this absolute must read . I highly recommend this book. I can’t wait to read more from this Author.
Alligators in the trees by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Can a chance meeting of people change the outlook of people? In this book, there are three people who meet and it changes their life. In a big city like New York, strangers meet and it was fate. Cynthia Hamilton’s story-line is engaging. I was interested to see three strangers meet together and what fate has in store for them. Her characters are engaging and easy to follow. I feel as if I was right there in the story with them. I found myself having many emotions while reading this story. I highly recommend reading this story but will caution you may want to set enough time to read it in one sitting.
Finding Ruth by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Finding Ruth is heartfelt story it is very engaging but can take time to get into. Ruth is a very strong woman and very independent. Very well written biography after witnesding many of her mother hardships of Ruth’s life. Her mother developed a disease later and this then changes her behaviors
Lucky at Love: Some Guys Just Never Give Up… by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I really enjoyed this romance story. It isn’t the first book i have read by this author but it is definately one of my favourites.
It follows the idea of opposites attracting and about how we sometimes view people based of their relationships past and present. For example in Jakes case he has been married and divorced 7 times so you start to think whats wrong with this guy. Does he just fall in love to quick? Is he addicted to getting married but gets bored when its official?
These are questions that Allison is trying to find answers too. Allison is a journalist and her next article is about loving multiple times. Why do it and who does it? As she embarks on this discovery of this topic and one man’s experience I particular she finds herself feelings things she didn’t think she would.
Set in beautiful landscapes on a ranch this story is heartwarming and so well written you feel like you’ve know the characters for years.
Lucky at Love: Some Guys Just Never Give Up… by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Lucky at Love: Some guys just never give up… by Cynthia Hamilton is a romance story but also so much more. Cynthia once again has written something that is intriguing and vividly rich with ups and downs and much more. Cynthia gives us characters that are relatable. They have warts and all and have wants and dreams and come with all the flaws, just like we all do, and that makes them so much more endearing. I would have to say that this book is my favourite story from Cynthia.
We all want to have our HEA.
Reviewed by @jennadb
Lucky at Love: Some Guys Just Never Give Up… by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I really have enjoyed Cynthia Hamilton’s novels in the past so when I saw Lucky at Love: Some Guys Just Never Give Up.., it was a no brainer to one-click and read this one. I really enjoyed the chic lit banter that made this novel one that was very hard to put down. I really wanted a bit of an escape when I picked this novel up and it did a wonderful job of that, and making me feel like I was on an adventure with these two main characters. Jake is a conundrum to Allison. When they meet and she finds out he has been married and divorced seven times already, but still considers himself lucky in love, she is set to figure out what he means by that. These two play off each other very well and I found myself giggling and engrossed until the very end. I can’t wait to see what we will get next from Hamilton!
Review by @lizaileen
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Alligators in the trees by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Alligators in the Trees by Cynthia Hamilton. I LOVED this book! Its the best story about fate and how things are meant to be happen. Its the story of Priscilla Vanderpool who works at a Frank’s Coffee Shop in Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Priscilla loves her job but her heart and soul is in music & song writing. She has written several songs but no one has ever heard them. Tobias Jordan is a 90’s rock star who is middle aged and trying to rebuild his career. Phillip Glessner is a down and out architect who found Frank one day trying to avoid reporters so they end up in Frank’s Coffee Shop and meet Priscilla. Phillip is very attracted to Priscilla and since his wife is divorcing him he feels like she may be just what he needs. As they continue to learn about each other they have connections that could only be fate. Each character has flaws and yet they tend to bring out the best in one another. This is such a fun, sweet book about chance meetings and how life just works out sometimes.
Lucky at Love: Some Guys Just Never Give Up… by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a wonderfully written novel with great main characters in the form of mule breeder Jake Sorenson and journalist Allison Tyler-Wilcox. Allison and Jake first meet at Jake’s sisters wedding and when Allison learns that he has been married and divorced seven times she can not believe it when he says that he considers himself to be ‘lucky at love’. Allison can not understand Jake’s attitude, that although he has been divorced many times his marriages were not failures. Trying to understand Jake and his views better Allison convinces her editor into letting her visit Jake at his ranch to do an article on, “the compulsion some people have when it comes to saying “I do””. Whilst spending time with Jake she realises she has misjudged him, and due to sharing mule rides and impromptu tango dances Allison realises that Jake’s unique philosophy on life and love might actually be worth listening to. The trip leaves Allison feeling confused about her own marriage and her own ideals, let alone confused about her feelings for Jake.
I found myself fully immersed in this book due to the likeable and realistic characters, I enjoyed discovering how Allison and Jakes relationship changed and developed throughout the story. The storyline flowed along nicely and the narrative kept me happily turning the pages. Thanks to the wonderful descriptions by the author of both person and place I felt as though I was there with Jake and Allison. This novel is very character driven and Hamilton really made me care for the main characters and therefore I felt invested in the conclusion of both their story and the novel.
Finding Ruth by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Finding Ruth is a very different book than I’m used to from Cynthia Hamilton. Cynthia delves into her mother’s past to discover the memories that Alzheimer’s has blurred, altered and in some cases removed completely.
Ruth’s story is a rollercoaster ride spanning over sixty years. The emotions bounce off the page through Cynthia’s writing and you want nothing more than for Ruth’s story to be a happy one.
I found myself hooked, needing to know what happened next, so I can only imagine what this must have been like for the author to have been piecing together pictures and clues and memories to try and discover who her mother really was.
The outcome of this is an emotional memoir about a real woman who made some difficult choices throughout her life.
If you enjoy memoirs or non fiction stories then I would recommend this.
Lucky at Love: Some Guys Just Never Give Up… by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Does marriage mean you’ve found a love that lasts a lifetime? For her next magazine article, Allison sets her sites on Jake, who is a repetitive offender of trying to find the one that lasts.
Can she figure out what makes him tick t is he just a womanizer. Allison is baffled by his take on marriage and the fact he doesn’t see his marriages as failures. Through the interview process and spending time with Jake, she realizes she isn’t as immune to his charms as she thinks she is.
Lucky at Love: Some Guys Just Never Give Up… by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Lucky at Love: Some guys just never give up…
by Cynthia Hamilton
I enjoyed reading this book. I have read other books by this author and I enjoy her writing style, she never disappoints. Allison is a writer that works for a magazine and after meeting Jake at her friend’s wedding she found his multiple marriages intriguing. I think she had a hard time looking at her own marriage and some of the issues played a part in her decision to write this story. Her relationship with her husband seemed more like a business deal than any sort of romantic relationship. I found Jake to be very interesting and his views to be refreshing. I enjoyed the banter between these two, they challenged each other and I think they both found it to be very stimulating. There are some interesting and wonderful characters in this book. The author also did a wonderful job relaying the details in this story so much so I felt like I was there in the story. If you want to find out what happens then this is a must read. I recommend this book.
Lucky at Love: Some Guys Just Never Give Up… by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Lucky at Love by Cynthia Hamilton a five-star read that was just the pick me up I needed. This story has some of the best interactions between Allyson and Jake, they just spark of each other in a way that sparks of the page. When you throw in the fact that Allyson is interviewing Jake who on the surface seems like the eternal optimist and in some ways reminded me of my dad who we always joked had a passion for wedding cake as he was married and divorced four times, it was nice to see that it was a man in that situation. This will suck you in and shake you about, you will be up and down with the drama, but also hooked as there was something special about this story. I can easily say this is my favourite by this author.
Review by @saraoxo
Finding Ruth by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was an emotional book for me. It was a very heartfelt and emotional story. This could not have been an easy story to write but I appreciate and applaud Ms. Hamilton for allowing us all into her most precious work. Writing about family can be emotional to begin with but when it is about your mother that takes it to another level of personal. Ms. Hamilton takes us on the journey that she and her mother went on with horrible dementia. You can not help but get emotional while reading and you will have tears. Thank you for allowing us into your life!!!
Alligators in the trees by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The title of the book had me intrigued from the start and it is a line from one of the main characters songs that she has written. The story focuses on three main characters all of whom frequent Frank’s Coffee Shop on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Priscilla Vanderpool works at the coffee shop as a waitress but her passion lies in music and song writing. She has written many insightful and haunting lyrics but she’s the only one who’s ever heard them. The Coffee shop is described as a ‘dingy hole-in-the-wall’ by paparazzi phobic Tobias Jordan who was a rock star in the 90’s, however it soon becomes a safe haven for him. The third main character is disgraced architect Philip Glessner who found Frank’s one day as he was trying to avoid reporters. Both Philip and Tobias keep returning to the shop as they both see something in Priscilla. To Tobias she becomes his unwitting muse and to Philip she is an improbable paragon of virtue, however neither see her for who she really is.
All three main characters are hugely likeable but each has their own demons that they are battling with which also makes them very realistic and relatable as characters. The novel is very character driven and the author has a way of making you become really immersed in their world and invested in their outcomes. It was the characters and the need to know their fates which had me hooked and turning the pages. It’s an original read and an interesting plot that all three are strangers but also connected via Frank’s and how this influences each one of their lives. It’s a rather lengthy book but it’s an easy read as the storyline has enough twists and unexpected moments to keep you guessing and the narrative flows along at a good pace.
Alligators in the trees by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a lovely story and keeps you gripped. The three characters are well written and you can’t help but feel every emotion they go through. It’s also really good how their lives intertwine with each other considering they are 3 strangers.
Priscilla is a waitress in a run down restuarant. With her boss Frank on her case 24/7 she feels so worn down. She is disillusioned by life and failed relationships. She needs to make a change but doesn’t know how.
Philip is an architect who’s career was great until one failed project brings his company and his reputation down. Added to this his wife filing for divorce and suing him for everything she can Philip finds comfort in his attraction to Priscilla.
Tobias is a middle-aged rockstar who is trying to rebuild his once budding career but with him losing his muse he is worried that his days of being a popular rockstar is over.
These three strangers with 3 different storys and problems all come together in this book. Can they help to repair each other or are they just 3 strangers who eat/work at the same place.
Finding Ruth by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Cynthia Hamilton has once again transported us into another world with this read. I love following her crime thriller reads and this read just shows us another level of this author’s writing. This read was real, raw and totally heartfelt, heart-wrenching and heart-warming read all at the same time. This book showed the relationship and bond between mother and daughters, the ups and downs and the journeys they take. To know this read is based on this author’s own mother, it really makes you connect on a deeper level with the thoughts and feelings that are throughout this book. I loved following the journey our main character takes finding out all the ups and downs, trials and tribulations that her mother goes through in her lifetime. This read will hit you and take you on a never-ending emotional rollercoaster. I’m so glad I picked up this read, and can’t wait to read more from this author!
Reviewed By @tillytillzz
Alligators in the trees by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Alligators in the Trees by Cynthia Hamilton is a romantic love triangle story. It is an interesting, and complex read. There is a lot of dialogue as the characters reflect back on their lives and how they got to where they are. Cynthia has a talent for creating complex characters with lots of layers and as the layers are peeled back like an onion, we get a view into their minds and world. The book as it is full of charm and wit but is also full of heartache and regret.
Reviewed by @jennadb
