Divorced. Single Mother.Words that Calli never imagined she’d use to describe herself, but today, she would sign those fateful papers and bring the words to life—her life. Her career is going well enough. With the financial arrangements in the decree, she’d be able to maintain a solid middle-class status. Her plans for the future are set…keep on keeping on. Maybe one day, her mother could accept … could accept her divorce. Maybe one day she’d be comfortable alone. Maybe one day, her life would turn out how it was supposed to be with Bennett. But for today, she’d go to happy hour and celebrate her freedom with her friends.
The variable Calli’s calculations don’t include: restaurateur, Dominic Moretti.
Food. Fitness.
The two pleasures in life that Dom thrives upon. Moretti’s, his first love, his upscale flagship restaurant in Minneapolis, has grown to one of the most in-demand venues in the Twin Cities. When he isn’t traveling for business, he enjoys overseeing the floor as his alter-ego: restaurant manager, Nic Moore. In his other foodie ventures, he operates as the better-known Dom of The Dinner Shark on Food Network. All work and very little play keep his accounts bulging at the seams, and he thoroughly enjoys a city-boy bachelor’s lifestyle.
The secret ingredient he has yet to factor into his perfect recipe: Callista Lindley.
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For Calli, the letter she received was the last straw for her marriage. Her husband had cheated and the therapy where they were going to had seemed to be working but the letter proved that he was never going to change, so the next steps were clear and divorce was a go.
Fast forward 18 months later and she was now a free woman, her maiden name now hers again. When
on a night out with her girlfriends she runs into Dom as the restaurant owner, he’s intrigued. When circumstances bring them together as lovers, then crop up again as workmates, will their romance go anywhere, and if it does will her secrets from her first marriage keep them apart forever.
A well written and enjoyable read. I especially liked that this couple was in their 40’s so sounded and acted as mature as could be. Nice.
Review of a copy received via booksprout.
A Little Chick Lit, A Little Romance
This is a fine blend of chick lit and contemporary Romance. We meet our beleaguered heroine in the first chapter when she is about to confront her philandering husband. She has put up with his affairs for years because she was brought up believing divorce is not a path to go down. This first scene is actually so intense that if you’re currently going through a divorce or have had a divorce in the past due to spousal betrayal, you might find this first scene to be a bit much. My divorce was 8 years ago, but this scene surprisingly brought up some very bad feelings and memories; I guess that is a testament to the writer’s skill. If the book interests you and this is an issue for you, you can actually skip the first chapter and go right to the second, which is the day their divorce becomes final. The ex still acts like a jerk throughout the entire book, but nothing hit me like that first scene. All the characters in this book are well drawn. I loved the hero and the heroine. After all that she had gone through, she deserved a decent guy. I thought the heroine’s sons were fantastic, and like any good chick lit, this one had a great group of gal pals who were incredibly supportive of the heroine. Except for the parts that reminded me too much of my situation back in the day, I found this to be an enjoyable read.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
Calli has just gone through a life changing divorce. As she celebrates the start of a new phase in her life, she meets Nic/Dom. They both find that they are inexplicably attracted to each other and have a number of things in common. Through a series of events, Calli rediscovers herself and has to decide where Dom fits in with her two sons and future. An emotional rollercoaster as she works through the pain of letting go with dignity.
This is a beautifully told story of the hardness and ugliness
that accompanies divorce, its toll on a family, and healing.
Callie is done. Her husband’s continuous infidelity has pushed her to the point of no return. She knows she has failed her mother and children by divorcing, but she just can’t do it anymore. As she struggles with being a single mom with split custody, her friends rally around her with support.
Dominic Moretti is a successful restaurateur and investor. The last thing he needs is drama in his life. So, when a lady from the table of giggling women hands him a business card and tells him to call her friend, he takes it with no intentions of doing that. Though, there is something about her.
The story is written mostly in dual POVs. The characters are developed and the story had a nice flow. There was very little cussing and I appreciated the effort Callie put into NOT bad mouthing her ex (even though he was horrible), especially in front of her children.
I must confess, I usually don’t pick books if the cover isn’t interesting to me. I selected this book because I happened to read the summary without looking at the cover. I then put it on my Amazon tbr list. A while later, I recognized the cover on BookSprout and decided to try it. I’m so glad I took the opportunity to read this book! It engages you from the beginning.
I look forward to reading more of this author’s work. I recommend this book.
I received a free copy from BookSprout in exchange for my honest opinion
Calli’s marriage ended after 21 years because he couldn’t keep it in his pants. On D(ivorce)-day, her friend gives her number to the hot guy working at the restaurant. After a rocky start, they have an incredible date. But a shift in things at work means that Dom is now her client, and she has to put work first. He wears her down, and they agree to pursue a relationship. She hasn’t told him everything about her life – mainly about her divorce and her (nearly grown) children. Life has a way of spilling our secrets before we’re ready to give them up, though. I hate Pauline (Dom’s PA) – she’s the stereotype for every gold-digging witch out there trying to grab her boss’s attention and affection. I love Calli’s friends – so supportive, truly concerned about her. Her children are wonderful – Jax and Superman. Her ex is a total douche, especially what he did to her at Christmas, and again when she and the boys returned from Florida. My favorite part of the book is when Calli smashed all the Christmas ornaments that she and the ex had bought together. (Nearly 30 years after my own divorce, I still rip my ex’s face out of pictures that I find – something so cathartic about destroying him!) This is one of the nicest books I’ve read. The characters are so perfect together.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was such a wonderfully sweet story that brought together two people who needed someone without even knowing it. The characters are so authentic and dealt with problems that many readers can relate to. After being hurt in the past it is sometimes hard to get past those feelings of betrayal and loss. It was heartwarming to see how Dom and Calli slowly learned to love and trust again as the story progressed. I’ll definitely be reading this again in the future.
A well done, divorced, single mom, billionaire romance. I really enjoyed the characters and the business details. It was fascinating. This is my first book by this author and I look forward to more. Several steamy scenes.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Calli was in a loveless marriage. Her philandering husband finally admitted that he was not trying to salvage their marriage. When she filed and received her divorce it closed that chapter of her life. Dom never expected to marry or have a family that was until he saw Calli at his restaurant. One look and he was drawn to her and couldn’t get her off his mind. As these two blend into each others lives it was as though they were meant to be. Could this be the beginning of a happily ever after and a second chance at love for Calli? This story will touch your heart and have you cheering for this couple.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the first book I’ve read from Julia O. Greene and I’m so glad I did. This is a beautifully written second chance story for Callista Lindley, after twenty-one years with the philandering Bennett Stockton. Dominic Moretti sees Calli for the first time at his restaurant, Moretti’s. Her friend, Tory gives Nic Calli’s card, in the hopes he will call her. Dom goes by Nic at the restaurant, but he’s Dom when filming, The Dinner Shark. This book kept me reading until the end because I had to know what happened. The author did a great job with Pauline’s character because I couldn’t stand her, lol. Every book needs at least one character like Pauline. This book has many amazing characters too. This book is not just a romance story. It deals with family and friends too. When you’re at your lowest, you always need family and friends. I won’t leave any spoilers, but I will say everyone should read this must-read book.
I received an advance reader copy of this book and this is my voluntary and honest review.