This book will grab you and won’t let up until the words “the end” come up!
Violet is setting up her own security company after years of working for others. She’s amassed a team that has experience covering all the major facets of security. When a prominent business owner approaches her for her services, she’s thinking that this will be a very easy first job. The contracts are signed and everything suddenly changes.
Violet finds herself in the midst of a battle to save not only her client, but the town in which she lives. Rioters find their way to town and just about do them in. Violet and her team are on the case, even if other officials are not.
This book has strong political undertones dealing with corruption in some of the highest local offices. It was almost impossible to put this down as the story just grew more complex with each chapter.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Julie Johnsonhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJulie Johnson2023-09-05 19:24:272023-09-14 08:17:24The Mother’s Threat by Susan Specht Oram – Review by Julie Johnson
Who can you trust if not family? This story takes place in a familiar small town on the West Coast where nothing much happens. New business owner Violet dreams of thriving in the private security world and even has her first job lined up…but soon finds her mother standing on the opposing side when a peaceful protest gets chaotic. The author always shows complex characters in her books and even more complex relationships between them. I love the fast pace of the book and the thrilling psychological aspect to the story! I’m looking forward to the next novel written by Susan Specht Oram!
This book is technically part of a series, but the rest of the series isn’t necessary to follow this book. The author has written another fantastic story! I could not put it down as I waited for what would happen next. It follows Violet Cleveland as she launches her own security company. Unfortunately for her, as she signs her first major client, trouble comes into town. No matter what the personal cost, she will make sure to protect her client. Protestors and vandals try to derail everything she has worked for, and her own mother is a part of the problem. Her mother treats her unbelievably unfair and quite terribly. Violet struggles with loving her mom while still having boundaries and not being ok with her mom’s actions. There is so much angst about loving her mom and not liking her at all. I believe this is something we all struggle in our lives with someone in our families. It is so relatable. Great book!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Rebecca Hillhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngRebecca Hill2023-09-05 13:46:202023-09-14 08:39:12The Mother’s Threat by Susan Specht Oram – Review by Rebecca Hill
The Mother’s Threat is a fast-paced, psychological thriller that will grip you from the first pages and keep you reading until the end. The story centers around the character of Violet who has just opened her own security business. She is an ex-covert-ops leader who is smart, strong, courageous, and tenacious. Violet is a woman who never backs down from a challenge and will instead tackle it head-on. Her first job with her security business, Outrigger Services, is to provide security for a company called Bettermed at an upcoming conference they are holding. When Violet discovers that her mother, Daisy, is planning to join a group of protestors at the conference she is shocked and horrified. She knows her hippie mom to be peace-loving, gentle, and kind so how could she be involved in a protest? Not only is Daisy involved in the protest, but she becomes the voice for the group. When the peaceful protest becomes heated looting, fires, and destruction occurs. Violet and Daisy’s mother-daughter relationship hangs precariously in the balance as they find themselves on opposing ends and Violet finds herself being forced to choose between her business and her mom.
This was yet another amazing book by this talented author. Her writing style is impeccable and draws the reader fully into the story. The relationship between Violet and Daisy became complex quickly when they found themselves on opposing sides of an issue involving big business and climate change. Both women are strong, smart, determined, and have strong beliefs and values. It was interesting to read and see how the conflict would play out between Violet and Daisy. This was a book full of action, drama, suspense, conflict, family dynamics, beliefs, morals, values, and the complex mother-daughter dynamic. The twists and turns will keep you on the edge of your seat and have you reading until the end. I highly recommend this book!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Tara Johnson Barneshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngTara Johnson Barnes2023-09-05 12:44:032023-09-14 08:38:26The Mother’s Threat by Susan Specht Oram – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes
This was a good Thriller. It kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. It was a unique story for me and I loved how the author really did a thorough job on the relationship between Daisy and Violet. It really helped to bring the characters to life and I could really feel Violets turmoil as she struggled with protecting her client and her job over protecting her mother. Violet has set up her own security company and they are taken on by a big company for protection. In their small town nothing much happens so it should be an easy job. Rumours start of activists arriving to protest against her client has her in edge for trouble. But with the police and even the town mayor not taking her worries seriously is she blowing things out of proportion? As the activists arrive Violet is also deal another blow when she realises that one of the main activists is her own mother. Now she has to stand against her mother to do whats right by her clients and possible destroy the relationship she has with her mother in the process. What starts out as a peaceful protest soon gets out of hand and as things turn violent will Violet be able to keep control especially without support from the police or mayor?
I had mixed feelings about Violets and Daisy’s relationship. While i could understand Daisy standing up for her beliefs I couldn’t get over how she puts Violet in danger and makes her a target for the activist group. I also didn’t like the way Daisy broke into Violets house. Daisy comes across as a very self centred person, not caring who she hurts in her pursuit to make her views known. I felt for Violet being stuck between a rock and a hard place and I also felt her sense of betrayal and hurt but also admiration as she watches her mother stand up for what she believes in no matter the cost.
It was an enjoyable read that was fast paced and I couldn’t put down.
This was an incredible book, it was filled with action, excitement, suspenseful, thriller, fast paced. This book had me hooked from the beginning and I felt like I couldn’t read it fast enough. The twists and turns had me guessing and excited into what was going to happen next. The characters in this book were so well developed that they went very well with the story line. The details and story line were well written that it made me feel like I was right there with them. this book was very gripping, and I enjoyed every second of reading it.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jennifer Reimerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJennifer Reimer2023-09-05 12:23:532023-09-14 08:37:56The Mother’s Threat by Susan Specht Oram – Review by Jennifer Reimer
This fast paced domestic thriller had me hooked from start to finish. Violet Cleveland is an ex-covert-ops leader who now runs her own security business and so is used to having her mind running on high alert. As well as a new business to worry about she also has to keep her unstable hippie mother in line, especially when there’s a conflict of interest between her ‘make or break’ protection detail and her mothers views. When she finds out that her job is involved with some emotionally charged protests Violet alerts the authorities only to be dismissed as a fear monger. Violet then goes undercover to try and track the source of the threats, only to discovers that her own mother has blown her cover to a potential lynch mob. This was a real page turner with an intriguing storyline and plot twists that kept me guessing as to the outcome of the story. The descriptive narrative brought both the characters and the setting vividly to life, making me feel immersed in the story. The complex mother/daughter relationship between Violet and Daisy really came across in the narrative, and I felt engaged with them. The suspense really built chapter by chapter and the psychological drama kept me gripped throughout.
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 Gordon2023-09-05 12:07:002023-09-14 08:37:48The Mother’s Threat by Susan Specht Oram – Review by Jennifer Gordon
An emotional and engaging read which kept me captivated throughout. When Julie Mercer donated her eggs in order to help her brother and sister-in-law conceive via in-vitro fertilization, she never thought that just a few years later she would be taking full responsibility for those children, following the death of their parents in a car crash. Julie suddenly has to make room for her four year old twin niece and nephew, not only in her small apartment but in her life. Having decided that she never wanted children she doubts her ability to bring up Lucy and Mikey as her own. As well as her own grief and trauma she has to deal with the twins, which causes Lucy to throw intense tantrums and Mikey to stop talking. Then to complicate things further, the twins’ uncle, and also their biological father Grant turns up on her doorstep saying that he wants to help, but Julie worries that he may want to fight her for custody. Julie also has to deal with an inflexible and unsympathetic boss which puts her job on the line, and then on top of all these new life changes and challenges her family start questioning her role as guardian. Julie herself then needs to determine if the twins parents made the best decision making her their guardian. This is a heartwarming and at times heartbreaking story, which took me on an emotional rollercoaster whilst I was reading it. I really felt engaged with the likeable and relatable Julie and the extremely difficult position she found herself in. The descriptive narrative brought both the characters and setting to life making me feel immersed in the story. I recommend having a box of tissues handy when you pick up this must read page turner!
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 Gordon2023-09-05 11:09:212023-09-14 08:36:59As Though You Were Mine by J. Marie Rundquist – Review by Jennifer Gordon
This is an author that I never hesitate to pick up. I have enjoyed this author’s writing style from the first book I read. This is a suspenseful thriller about betrayal and a determination like no other. This is a well written, engaging, fast paced story that has characters that bring the story to life on each page. The twist and turns had me sitting on the edge of my seat and made it easy to read. The characters are strong, determined and just as so much to the story. I really enjoyed this suspenseful story and I had to find out what happened at the end. Don’t miss out on this one. I highly recommend this book and this author.
Violet has signed her first client to her brand new security business. Everything looks to be going in the right direction for her except one downfall there are protesters coming and she knows one. This story, like all Susan Specht Oram stories, is full of twists and turns that you don’t see coming. A great addition to the Millersville Series. Small towns, big problems.
I enjoyed this book. This a fast-paced thriller. Nothing like having to choose between your business or your mom. I was enthralled with how well the author put together the story. The details, the characters, they are so well written that I found myself not wanting to put it down. This a suspense novel that will definitely have you on the edge of your seat. This author did a terrific job with writing a mother/daughter suspense.
Violet Cleveland’s mind is running on high alert. Used to tough challenges, the ex-covert-ops leader worries about keeping her unstable hippie mom in line while opening a security business. And just as she lands a make-or-break protection detail, her parent’s evasive comments about an upcoming trip trigger a loud alarm bell.
Discovering that her inaugural job is tangled up in emotionally charged protests, Violet reaches out to the authorities for aid… only to be curtly dismissed as a fearmonger. And after heading undercover to track the source of the threats, she’s horrified to discover her own mom blowing her daughter’s cover to a potential lynch mob.
Determined to hold her ground, will she burn her last bridge home?
The Mother’s Threat is a page-turning, standalone novel. If you like driven heroines, complex relationships, and intense psychological drama, then you’ll love Susan Specht Oram’s high-stakes standoff.
Read The Mother’s Threat to watch your back today!
Susan Specht Oram is writing mysteries, thrillers and suspense novels. The book The Mother’s Threat was loosely inspired by the World Trade Organization/WTO riots in Seattle. Her essays were published in Mothering Magazine, Twins Magazine and Utne Reader. She’s written brief business books and humorous books from a rescue dog’s point of view. Susan grew up near Detroit, Michigan and lives in a windy part of the Pacific Northwest with her trumpet-playing husband and their rescue dog.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/The-Mothers-Threat-Ebook-cover-4-5-23.jpg1200782itsybitsybookbitshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngitsybitsybookbits2023-09-05 00:03:252023-09-16 21:25:31The Mother’s Threat by Susan Specht Oram
This book is an absolute rollercoaster of emotions. I knew just from the description of this book that it was going to be good but it was so much better than expected. I was drawn in by each and everyone of the characters. They were well written and it felt like you were taken on the journey with them. I connected right from the start and wanted to see what the book had in store for them. This was such an emotional story. Witnessing the children have to go through what they did, and watching the other characters deal with the grief and aftermath was heart breaking. The author did a fantastic job of portraying what it must be like. This is a brilliant book and I would highly recommend it.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Kerry Bakerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngKerry Baker2023-09-04 16:42:132023-09-14 08:02:50As Though You Were Mine by J. Marie Rundquist – Review by Kerry Baker
This was such a fantastic and emotional story. I found myself crying (actually sobbing) at several parts of this. Yet, I never wanted to stop reading this story. I wanted to see how it ended. I wanted to follow the emotional arc of the main character Julie, even if I was so emotionally invested in it. Julie is a fantastic main character and she is one that I found myself relating to and rooting for. The emotional layers in this between gaining custody of her niece and nephew, who are actually her flesh and blood, and processing the loss of her brother and sister in law it just all seems like it is too much. Then Grant enters the picture. The emotional complexity of him entering just really kept me reading at such an intense pace. I wanted to know what was going to happen in Julie’s life, if she was going to keep her job, if Grant was there for good reasons, if she was going to learn to love raising the kids, if everyone was going to get a happy ending. I have so much more I want to say, but won’t for fear of spoilers. I will say that this book is a must read and that these characters are so very well written. I definitely recommend reading this book! But make sure to have tissues handy!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Christinehttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngChristine2023-09-03 17:51:052023-09-14 07:47:41As Though You Were Mine by J. Marie Rundquist – Review by Christine Baranek
Liz’s Road Trip by Bernadette Marie is an emotional yet hopeful little gem of a book!!!
The book opens on a pretty sad note. Liz Evans has just lost her beloved grandmother. As she is going through her things, she finds a letter that will completely change her life. Her Gran wants her to take her back to her home, in Florida. When she gets there, a mystery man, Mark, will tell her all about the Gran that she didn’t know. So, she embarks on a trip with Gran and Gran’s cat, Cosmo, that will possibly end up being an adventure that could finally lead her to a forever romance and a life filled with joy beyond her imagination!
At times, Liz was extremely frustrating for me. Her moods could swing from hot to cold, especially in her burgeoning relationship with Mark. I wanted to shake some sense into her, but as I sat back and digested more of her story, I began to understand her more and have sympathy for her. She just lost the woman who sacrificed so much to raise her after Liz’s mother died. In addition, she discovers that her grandmother had many secrets and had a life she knew nothing about. I imagine that Mark knowing those secrets impacted her relationship with him as well. It was all those complicated and complex emotions that made the book so good.
There were so many reasons I loved this book. I liked that Marie pulled on my heartstrings and had me really invested in the characters, especially Liz. Gran was not physically present in the book, but she played such a pivotal role in the plot and pacing of the book. She was still teaching Liz lessons after she was gone. My favorite thing about the book was the growth that Liz went through. She began the book as pretty self-centered, but by the end of the book, a lot of that self-centeredness was gone. Most importantly, she went from just living a good life to a life well-lived, and that is exactly what Gran wanted for her all along.
I haven’t read a book by Bernadette Smalls, but this one won’t be my last one. She is a very talented writer who knows exactly how to pull her readers smack dab in the middle of her story. If you like a sweet romance full of emotions, you should definitely give this one a try!!!!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Christie Mitchumhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngChristie Mitchum2023-09-03 10:53:082023-09-14 08:06:33Liz’s Road Trip by Bernadette Marie – Review by Christie Mitchum
What an amazing story. Julie shows us all that even if there is something that might not be what you want, it could be exactly what you need. This story gave me all the emotions. I felt her anger and sadness and fear and inadequacy, and so many other things she was going through. I highly recommend this story. It was such an amazing read.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Manda Kellyhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngManda Kelly2023-09-01 18:25:582023-09-14 08:08:42As Though You Were Mine by J. Marie Rundquist – Review by Manda Kelly
I enjoyed reading this heartfelt story about becoming a parent unexpectedly and what happens after. Julie is a person who never wanted children but when tragedy strikes she finds herself a parent. This is a well written story that took me on a roller coaster ride of emotions. I enjoyed the author’s writing style as well as their attention to details that made me feel as if I was part of the story. The characters are connectable, full of heart and made the story easy to read. A fast paced, engaging story where the characters pop off the pages and into your heart. I enjoyed watching the growth of the characters and the plot which added to the story. This is a story you don’t want to miss. I highly recommend this book.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Bobbi Wagnerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngBobbi Wagner2023-09-01 14:55:072023-09-14 07:36:30As Though You Were Mine by J. Marie Rundquist – Review by Bobbi Wagner
Wow, never thought that I would like this book but the theme and the story captured my heart. The author did an amazing job with the character Julie.
At first, I was sobbing in tears when her brother and sister-in-law were in the accident and now she was being responsible for her niece and nephews. Who knew that she had to be responsible for her own blood and be a full parent to her brother’s kids? What got me upset was Grant the brother and uncle of the twins. At first, I was like what does he want but then I realized that he was also the donor for his brother. Like, keep it in the family. Julie kept on doing what she had to do for her family and making sure that Grant did not get in the way. I was sobbing when there were sad parts of Julie’s life because she was clueless about how to take care of her brothers’ kids. Love it…
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Charlene Gonzalezhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngCharlene Gonzalez2023-09-01 11:14:412023-09-14 07:35:24As Though You Were Mine by J. Marie Rundquist – Review by Charlene Gonzalez
5 Star’s As Though You Were Mine by J. Marie Rundquist
As Though You Were Mine is a wonderfully written Women’s Fiction that will take you on quite the emotional journey. I dove into this book with the mindset that it was going to be emotional so I had kleenexes right beside me and boy am I glad I did. This is a fairly new author to me and I’m definitely interested in what else she has written. Her style of writing and attention to detail along with developed characters make for a wonderful story. This story is packed with drama, family drama, love, loss and grief plus so much more. Julie does a selfless thing and donates her eggs to her sister in law and brother who is having issues with infertility. But when tragedy strikes she finds herself with custody of four year old twins. She’s struggling trying to figure out how to raise these two kids and help them with their grief but shes grieving as well. Throw in a curve ball or two and we find our heart being pulled in several different directions. I highly recommend reading this book to find out what happens. Definitely have tissues and be prepared to laugh cry and go on quite the emotional rollercoaster ride. I’m looking forward to reading more from this Author.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Dawn Daughenbaughhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngDawn Daughenbaugh2023-08-31 22:59:142023-09-12 14:49:42As Though You Were Mine by J. Marie Rundquist – Review by Dawn Daughenbaugh
5/5 stars This book was so unique in the plot which is what grabbed my attention. It’s so well written I felt every emotion in it. From reading the synopsis I wasn’t sure how it was going to play out. But it’s so entertaining in a slow burn type of way. I’m definitely rereading it because I loved it that much.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Daryian Lucashttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngDaryian Lucas2023-08-31 21:41:162023-09-12 14:48:11As Though You Were Mine by J. Marie Rundquist – Review by Daryian Lucas
What a truly amazing book! I felt for Julie as she never wanted kids and then felt underprepared and unequipped to care for her brother’s children. I found myself cheering for her during the good times and rooting her on during the rough spots. The inter workings of most families are messy and hard, and Julie’s is all of that. Grief is hard and 4-years-olds can be a struggle, but to grieve while caring for grieving 4-year-olds is a whole different level of difficulty. Cue in Grant, the brother of Julie’s deceased sister-in-law, who shoes up and creates his own place in Julie and the kids’ lives. Also grieving, also family, also having a stake in the children’s lives.
This book is a real page turner as you continue cheering on Julie and wanting to see her succeed as a new parent.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jessie Hopkinshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJessie Hopkins2023-08-31 20:47:552023-09-12 14:47:14As Though You Were Mine by J. Marie Rundquist – Review by Jessie Hopkins
Touching multilayered story What a wonderfully touching story. From the first page, this book draws you in and holds you there right through until the end. Julie is a strong FMC and tells a very real story. The roller coaster of emotions is raw and confronting at times. The way the author draws all the threads together is commendable. 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 East2023-08-31 05:10:442023-09-09 20:50:07As Though You Were Mine by J. Marie Rundquist – Review by Rayne East
As Though You Were Mine by J. Marrie Rundquist is a heartachingly good story- but in saying that, I highly recommend that you have plenty of tissues on hand before diving in- trust me, you are going to need them! Ms. Rundquist threw me into an emotional pinball machine, bouncing my emotions all over the place like crazy. This is a superb women’s fiction story packed full of emotion, love, loss, grief, unexpected responsibility, challenges, doubts, heartache, family, twists, drama, heartwarming developments, and hope, Julie Mercer never expected that donating her eggs so that her brother and his wife could start their family would change her life in a such an unexpected way only four short years later. A tragic accident leaves Julie with the responsibility of raising four-year-old twins, something she feels completely unprepared for. Through self-doubt, an adjustment period, challenges, heartache, angst, and a few curveballs we follow along for all the highs and lows…. and can’t help but connect and invest in everything along the way. This is my first read from Ms. Rundquist, but it definitely won’t be my last. 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 Hayes2023-08-30 23:23:362023-09-09 20:49:04As Though You Were Mine by J. Marie Rundquist – Review by Angela Hayes
Julie never wanted to be a mom but she technically became a biological mom when she donated her eggs to her brother and his wife. Sadly, Brian and Esther were killed in a car accident when their twins, Lucy and Mikey, were just four years old. Brian and Esther left guardianship of these precious souls to Aunt Julie.
Julie’s whole family questions her ability to raise these children from day 1. They offer unsolicited advice and some even go so far as to flat out tell her she has no business doing this. A knock on her door could change everything for this new little family.
Brian and Esther also used a sperm donor to create these children. Grant is the knock at the door and Julie can’t be sure of his immediate motives. Is he her to fight her for custody or is he sincere in what he says about “doing his part” with Lucy and Mikey?
I found this book a bit difficult to get into. As the story went on, it did pick up a bit but by then I was losing so much of the real story that it fell kinda flat for me. I was hoping for so much more based on the synopsis. For a good bit, it just felt like the same thing was being repeated, especially in regards to the behavior of the kids. I understand that a buildup had to occur, but this felt a little dragged out. I did appreciate the overall story, I just wish it would have picked up faster.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Julie Johnsonhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJulie Johnson2023-08-30 21:51:522023-09-09 12:34:55As Though You Were Mine by J. Marie Rundquist – Review by Julie Johnson
Wow, what a story….captured me right from the beginning. Gutted feelings, sadness at parts, drama, anger, love, healing and the sense of family and nurturing. I highly recommend this book…it takes you on a roller coaster of emotional highs and lows.
Julie Mercer is trying to pick up the pieces after her brother and sister in law pass away due to an accident and is now the guardian of four year old twins, Mikey and Lucy. Julie never really wanted to be a mother, but life threw her a wrench and now she is figuring everything out between balancing her job and the twins, questioning herself can she do this. Lucy throwing tantrums if things are not done “right” in her eyes and Mikey not talking at all…the trauma that these children endured has been difficult. When Grant, who is Julie’s sister in laws brother, makes an unexpected visit, Julie is not sure if there is more why he suddenly shows up.
As Julie and Grant navigate the death of her brother and his sister, they find that being there for Mikey and Lucy and for each other can be something special.
This is a great story and I highly recommend this 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 Hoerner2023-08-30 21:34:122023-09-09 12:34:34As Though You Were Mine by J. Marie Rundquist – Review by Lorralei Hoerner
Wow. Talk about gut punches galore Batman. I started reading and I immediately had to grab some tissues. Julie does a selfless thing and donates her eggs for her brother and sister-in-law, who suffer from infertility issues. Tragedy strikes and now she has custody of these two wonderful twins. But it’s not easy going as she’s trying to get through her own grief, but also has to navigate four year olds going through their own grief. She is questioning her skills as a guardian, when another wrench is thrown into the mix. When their uncle shows up offering to help, she’s leery of him. I loved reading this story. I wanted to take Julie and just hug her the entire time, and protect her from the author, and everyone in the book. But, her growth throughout the story is impeccable.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Crystal Jimmohttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngCrystal Jimmo2023-08-30 21:32:182023-09-09 12:34:26As Though You Were Mine by J. Marie Rundquist – Review by Crystal Jimmo
This book had me hook, line, and sinker from the first sentence. It’s a book full of healing, coping, determination, with a sprinkle of love and a huge helping of pure tenacity from the main character. Julie really did face a lot of odds in this book, and I think what I loved about it so much was how raw and real the writing felt. It’s a book with the perfect fall aesthetic, and i just know I’m going to be re-reading it again. Highly recommend!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Lucy Machardhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngLucy Machard2023-08-30 20:25:402023-09-09 12:33:15As Though You Were Mine by J. Marie Rundquist – Review by Lucy Machard
As Though You Were Mine is a novel by J. Marie Rundquist. This story follows Julie Mercer, a woman who has donated her eggs to her brother and sister-in-law so that they may have a family. After the couple dies in a car crash, Julie is named guardian of the 4-year-old twins. This was such a wonderful story. Following Julie, you really get to experience her plight. Julie doesn’t want to be a mother but she tries her best to provide a home for her niece and nephew. I really sympathize with Julie mourning the loss of her brother while trying to raise his children and deal with the trauma of losing their parents. When Grant enters the picture, we see them both do all that they can to give the twins a good home. I loved that Julie finally had someone in her corner. They both could relate to each other. This is such a great and complex story.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00La Toya Lewishttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngLa Toya Lewis2023-08-30 18:22:212023-09-09 12:31:48As Though You Were Mine by J. Marie Rundquist – Review by La Toya Lewis
As Though You Were Mine is not the type of novel you pick up to escape reality but it is definitely one to delve into when you want to “feel”. I was invested in the storyline and characters from the very start and loved the growth and progression throughout. The plot was deep and very well written and I adored the female main character and I liked watching the dynamic between she and her mother. That being said, I really enjoyed the intricacies shown within the entire family in this novel and how they navigated real life issues both common and uncommon. I would love to read more from this author again and highly recommend this novel.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Felicia Bateshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngFelicia Bates2023-08-30 18:20:272023-09-09 12:31:02As Though You Were Mine by J. Marie Rundquist – Review by Felicia Bates
Julie is happy with her life. She is single, has no kids, and no real wish to change anything. However, life has other plans for Julie, when she unexpectedly becomes the guardian of her twin niece and nephew after her brother and sister-in-law die unexpectedly. What Julie could never have predicted is how much this would change her life. She goes from single with minimal responsibilities to having to take care of two four year olds who are grieving and struggling to understand the changes to their lives. Mikey has stopped talking, something she is told is new, while Lucy has started throwing temper tantrums whenever things aren’t quite the way that she expects them to be or when she just can’t handle her emotions. While learning to navigate grief, family, and suddenly becoming a parent, one more curve ball comes into Julies life in the form of the children’s uncle, Grant.
This story is, at times, heart breaking and yet heartwarming. I would highly recommend this book for anyone who loves a happily ever after, even if it there are a few wrong turns in the middle.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Candice Esteshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngCandice Estes2023-08-30 16:38:222023-09-09 12:30:15As Though You Were Mine by J. Marie Rundquist – Review by Candice Estes
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