Renowned Chef Charlie Hennessey needs a break. Tired of the noise of Manhattan and afraid the big city and its cynical outlook has jaded her thoroughly, she packs up her babies and returns home to Camden, Maine. The quiet coastal town holds memories of loved ones, offers space for her children to roam, and is the only place she longs to be. Here she hopes to recharge and reacquaint herself with … with who she is, what she wants, and how to love again.
Award-winning author Jonathan Hennessey has roamed the world several times over in the attempt to outrun the ghosts of his past. The last thing he ever wanted was to return to Camden, Maine, until he finds himself not only there but on the doorstep of the only woman he has ever loved… and ultimately destroyed. But how could he look his only friend and lover in the eye and admit his sins when he can’t even look at himself?
As the keeper of most of Jonathan’s secrets, Charlie now holds one of her own. One that can and will destroy them. But some secrets aren’t meant to be kept, and for the man who spins tale after tale of murder, mystery, and love, this is a twist even his devilish mind could never conjure up.
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Hennessey on the Rocks
By Monica DeSimone
5 out of 5 stars
The story Hennessey on the Rocks by Monica DeSimone is a contemporary romance book. It is a story that pulled me in from the beginning and didn’t let me go until I had read the final page. It is a story that had my emotions going up and down with the characters. I enjoyed reading about the characters of Charlie and Jonathan. Charlie is a successful chief. She is independent, intelligent, and strong. She has found herself back in Camden, Maine looking to recharge herself and figure out what she wants. Jonathan is an award-winning author. He finds himself on the doorstep of the one woman that he has ever loved. There have been secrets and intense feelings which include disappointment and anger. What will happen when one more secret is revealed? What does the future hold for Charlie and Jonathan? Read this book to find out. Both Charlie and Jonathan are characters that I grew to care about and wanted them to find happiness. This story has heartbreaking and heartwarming moments. The author does a wonderful job of telling the story from both Charlie and Jonathan’s POV. Don’t miss out on a story that will have you with misty eyes as well as laughing out loud. I highly recommend reading it.
4 Stars
Hennessey On the Rocks is an engrossing and emotive read by the talented Monica DeSimone. This second chance romance had all the right ingredients needed to keep me hooked. From the interesting and endearing characters, to the wonderful story- full of drama, angst, secrets, discovery, emotion, romance, and humour- I was smitten right from the start.
Charlie and Jonathan were really great characters- enticing me into their story as everything unfolded, and even though they frustrated me at times, I was still cheering them on the whole way through. But it was a cute little 3 year-old who stole the whole show for me. She wasn’t just adorable- she was truly wise beyond her years. The banter and antics were funny and at times really heart-warming. This story wouldn’t have had the same impact without the addition of Abi, or Jace, that’s for sure.
I love the attention to detail, and the wonderfully descriptive scene setting Ms. DeSimone is so good at, and is superbly showcased here. It was so easy to visualize everything, right down to ‘hearing’ their ‘voices’- especially Abie’s cute 3 year-old way of saying things. There were quite a few memorable moments that makes this book one of my favourites of hers. And I can’t wait to try out the recipes from at the end of the book. Snicker-doodles….YUM!
But I really recommend having a box of tissues close at hand while reading, because this story is going to stir your emotions quite thoroughly!
I wonder what Ms. DeSimone has in store for us next?
Thank you, Monica DeSimone!
Hennessey on the Rocks by Monica DeSimone
5-Stars
Hennessey on the Rocks by Monica DeSimone was a wonderful read. I literally could not out it down. It had me laughing out loud at times. I loved Charlie, Johnnie, Jace, and Abie. The were excellent characters. They were easy to visualize, realistic, and I loved how they changed as the story progressed. The storyline itself was organized, original, and easy to follow. It seemed to be professionally edited. I really enjoyed how this story carried me away into its world. That is something I really look for when reading. I highly recommend it!
This was a heart wrenchingly beautiful love story. When you find your true, one and only love at age 5, how can it possibly last a lifetime? That is what Charlie and Johnnie are trying to figure out. They were, are, and always will be the other half of each other. Yin and Yang. Light and darkness. But then again, don’t we all have a bit of darkness in us? This story explores that darker side. Anger, depression, alcoholism, fear. When we find someone who helps us combat those emotions, someone who brings light into our lives, we try to hold on to them in any way we can.
Charlie is that light to Johnnie. They are divorced but their son and Charlie’s daughter hold them together. The problem is they both have secrets and lies that could tear them apart forever, no matter how much love there is between them. The story isn’t all dark…you will instantly fall in love with Charlie’s daughter Abie. She is a 3 year old force of nature! Super smart and mature for her age, she knows just how to make everything better. She was definitely the star of the story. Making you laugh and smile even when you want to cry because your heart is hurting so badly for this family. And just wait until you see the antics she gets up to with the family pets!
This is truly a wonderful story that I feel I am better off for having read it. I highly recommend it and give it a full 5 stars! You don’t want to miss this one. Just be prepared for all the feels!
If I could give this book 6 stars, I would!
Let me preface this by saying, if you’ve got a bad head cold, don’t read this book. It’ll make you laugh, cry, sob, giggle, sob some more and unable to breathe because you’re all stuffed up from the nose. Oh and you’ll need at least one box of tissues!
So – onto the story:
Determined, divorced momma of two moves her little family from the busy city, back home to Maine. After a while, her ex follows the little family home and worms his way into the apartment above the garage.
Both adults are stubborn, pig-headed, and a bit selfish. The children, boy age 13 and girl age 3, stole the book for me. The saying “out of the mouth of babes” certainly holds true on more than one occasion in this book.
I have to admit, I was hoping the female lead would find a new guy when she went back home but after reading about the turmoil and issues both she and her ex have with each other, I was rooting for them.
By the end of the book, my shirt was soaking wet, my throat hurt (not sure if it’s from coughing or laughing), I still can’t catch my nose and a 13 year old boy and a four year old girl stole my heart.
This story is heartwrenchingly beautiful and touching and pulls at you. Kudos to the author!
An excellent book about love and second chances. This is a new author to me and I really enjoyed the characters and how they leapt off the pages. The story flowed really well and kept me thoroughly engrossed until I found myself at the last page. Truly enjoyed my time with these characters and look forward to reading more from this author.