He’s obsessed with his art and with a woman who doesn’t want to love him.Maybe he should be grateful. Without the constant frustration, Joseph McEldowney figures he might never have answered any artistic urge to express his emotions. Now carving life from wood is all that soothes him. Too bad he can’t carve out a place in this world where nothing matters except the heaven-sent pull he and Jillian … pull he and Jillian Lansing have towards each other. She says he doesn’t fit her long-term plans. If that’s true, why should he torture himself with the short-term pleasure she’s offering? But how can he turn her away when he can’t get her off his mind?
Jillian Lansing has been ambitious all her life. Despite helping care for her deceased brother’s children, she kept her own big dreams for a family of her own. Sure, they’ve been put on hold for the last few years, but her life is way more stable now. Her auntie duties are relaxing into something almost normal. Reesa and Shane are doing great with the kids, and now expecting one of their own. Her lifelong best friend’s pregnancy is another wake-up call for her. Despite both of them grieving the loss of their siblings, Reesa managed to find her perfect partner. So where is hers? She’s certainly dated enough trying to find him.
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I have been waiting for this book forever, basically since the first time Joe and Jillian met when Shane and Rissa got together in Captured in Ink.
I was glad to see Donna McDonald address the interracial aspect of this book, along with the associated racism and bigotry. I could also appreciate that Jillian and Joe were able to put their parents issues and beliefs to the side.
Often in romance novels, especially BWWM, the writer doesn’t firmly assert that the woman is black. She is carmel colored or honey colored with curly hair. That could be anyone. Without a doubt, it is affirmed that Jillian is African-American.
I couldn’t blame Joe for behaving like he did at the beginning, self preservation and all. I also understood Jillian’s hesitation. But, when they started to come together, it was a sweet as any other “Larson” pairing.
I also enjoyed the addition of Joe’s carving. Joe may not be a Larson by birth, but this serves to attach him even more to the Larson family of artists.
Joe and Jillian were sweet together, had good chemistry, and were sexy. Even their sarcasm had some heat behind it. At some point, I was just hoping Jillian could let go of her “plan” and get it together.
We also get a chance to revisit some of the characters from previous books and get an update. If nothing else, this should make you want to go back and read the previous books, just to get the other couple’s backstories.
A 4.5 star book I read from cover to cover in one sitting. I’m not sure where this writer can go next with this series, but I hope it’s not the end of AOL.
I voluntarily read and reviewed the Advanced Reader Copy.
McDonald delivers on the romance in this friends to lovers romance. Joe and Jillian have their own plans and the chemistry between them is not in hers. The battle they know they will face from their bigoted families may just keep them apart.
Well written prose and (unfortunately) true societal issues will keep readers engaged. The well developed and overlapping characters add depth to the story.
I highly recommend this book to fans of the contemporary romance genre.
Once again Donna McDonald has created a love story that will make you fall in love with it’s characters. Joe and Jillian’s story will not only touch your heart but make you really think and analyze their situation and your reaction to things around you. I love this story so much!!
It has bee a while since he last Art of Love Book but I loved visiting the characters once again. It makes me want to go back and read this series from the beginning.
Read the blurb if you want to know what this story is about. I’m going to jump right in as to what I felt and loved about Carved In Wood:
I loved Joe (Joseph) McEldowney. He comes across as an honest, hardworking, and thoroughly confused with his life guy with a heart of gold. He loves that he found a woman who really means the world to him…except that he doesn’t “fit” into her life plan. Doesn’t stop him from caring, though! The woman in question is Jillian Lansing and she, too, is thoroughly confused with her feelings and place in life. Even though they don’t figure it out until the end of the book, both Joe and Jillian have so very much in common.
There were many snarky, fun moments while I read and my heart always belonged to Joe. I had fun reading about all the folks from previous books, although this IS a standalone, and wish that I had such good friends who also enjoy a good dose of snark. Loved this book and recommend!