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.
more
This is a well written story that has characters that pop off the pages and into your heart. A story of never dying love, a strong love and second chances. Charlie packs her children up and returns home, hoping to find herself again. Jonathan has been trying to out run his past but when he finds himself back in his hometown, he may just hit his past face on. These two have history, is there a second chance in their future or will lies destroy what’s left? I highly recommend this book.
Hennessey on the Rocks is the first book I have read by Monica DeSimone, but it won’t be the last. I was hooked from the first chapter, to the last page. I loved the writing style, and the realness of it. The characters are relate-able and very personable. She didn’t make either main character the bad guy, but showed both of their feelings and weaknesses. The children were written with strong personalities as well, and I felt like I could envision them and their attitudes. There were times I was chucking at the dialog of the children. This story brings home how strong a first love can be, but also how hard marriage and co-parenting is at times. The secret of the story, I guessed from the beginning. However, there are ups and downs and I was not sure how things would end for Charlie and Jonathan.
The book’s main characters is Charlie Hennessey. A big name chef, with restaurants, cooking show and cooking school. She just moved back home to the house she grew up in, in Maine, after living in Manhattan for years. She was looking for a new start, but that’s hard to do in a house with so many memories. To make matters worse, her ex husband Jonathan follows her, and asks to stay for a while. Jonathan Hennessey is a popular author, coming off his latest book tour. He is wanting to reconnect with his son, and if hes being honest, his ex-wife. He messed up big time, and is finally at a point where he is able to admit his faults and try to win back his family. But when secrets are uncovered, will love be enough? They have been best friends since they were 5 years old, but some secrets are unforgivable.
Hennessey on the Rocks by Monica DeSimone is masterfully written story of second chances. There was something about the synopsis that made me to pick up a copy and also as I had read Monica’s other books then I sort of thought I knew what to expect but it was something much more … it was powerful, mature, gripping … AND it took place in New England (there is something about New England and I can never pass over a story that takes place in Maine or somewhere else in the region).
Hennessey on the Rocks gives us Charlie and Johnnie and Jace and Abie. These four steal your heart and I tell you the three year old Abie is a kid that any parent would love to have … she simply stole my heart AND let’s not forget the laughter that we got out of her “pearls”, oh my! I absolutely love the story line, the pain, the secrets, the love … I hope that it is opening to a series as I am telling you, Monica had some supporting characters here that deserve their own stories!
Hennessey on the Rocks by Monica DeSimone – Review by Makaela Patterson
Hennessey on the Rocks will take you on and emotional ride. Who ever said you can’t fall in love twice? Who really knows how they will choose to fight for their love? Although this book was emotionally gripping, It was also very suspenseful. It seemed as Charlie could never really catch a break. You never knew what problems were going to pop up and shock you! This was definitely a drama filled book with airy parts of light humor. I think a lot of people will enjoy this book. I very much so could see this turned into a movie or series has all the perfect ingredients . No pun intended. Check out the end of the book! The name of the books really describes the book perfectly smooth but rocking! I really couldn’t stop reading this book, I connected with the fact that she was a mother and wanted nothing but the best for her kids and to be happy herself. This was a great read!
Hennessey On The Rocks is a fantastic second chance romance novel by Monica DeSimone. It was the first time I had read any of this author’s work but I was attracted by the blurb and decided it was worth giving it a go. I’m so glad that I took a chance on this book as I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Charlotte (Charlie) Hennessey is a famous cook with a couple of restaurants and a successful TV show. Sick of life in the rat race, she moves herself and her 2 children Jace and Abie back home to the house she grew up in.
Her ex-husband Jonathan (Johnnie) Hennessey is a famous author who is still battling with alcohol and depression (and his love for Charlie). He also decided to move back home to be near Charlie and the children. He desperately wants to be part of a family unit again.
The chemistry between Johnnie and Charlie is still off the charts hot and both are still deeply in love with each other but the issues that caused their marriage to break down are still there and also Charlie is hiding a huge secret that could totally devastate Johnnie.
This is an amazing story. I loved the interactions between Johnnie And Charlie. These characters are so well written. They have many flaws and are broken. In addition the 2 children are just amazing. Jace is the typical moody tween and 3 year old Abie is such a scene stealer. She is just the most adorable little girl ever.
I’m a total sucker for a second chance romance and this is one of the best that I have read. 100% recommend this book to others.
Charlie has loved Johnnie since she was 5 years old. He became her best friend quickly, someone she could count on and love. Through their life together they faced many ups and downs. Too many downs were the catalyst for destroying their marriage. Charlie is an overachiever in many ways and has strived to do good for herself for so long. All she has wanted to do was to cook, feed those she loves, be the best at what she does and take care of her kids the best she can. What she wants, and what she gets are two different things.
Johnnie has loved Charlie his whole life. He’s not loved her, and he’s never lived without her in his life in some capacity. When she makes her move with the kids back to their home town, he knows he has no choice but to follow. Charlie has been his best friend for too long to not go after her, even if its a door in the face again. He’s faced his demons and the darkness helped to ruin his marriage. Because of his own issues, those who have loved him have suffered. He wants a life back that includes them, his career, the chance to be a better person and to have a solid foundation. What he wants, he’ll fight for.
Through their move apart, together and beyond, they go through so many more ups and downs, tragedies, confusion, increasing emotions and just plain grief. In all of that though are Jace and Abie, the lights of both their lives and the reason for their beating hearts. The two of them make for some pretty entertaining dialogue. But also, some very spot on and witty advice that had me go “awwwww” quite a few times.
This is a fun second chance love story that will have you feeling all the emotions with them. As a parent, I understood both sides on so many levels. It’s a beautiful story that I enjoyed immensely. I would have liked to learn more about their history though, as it fascinates me to know where they began and all the in-between. I’d also love to see another book or two done with the supporting characters!
Hennessey on the Rocks by Monica DeSimone is a wonderful story and I read in one sitting. It is a story that will tug on your heart strings but will also make you laugh out loud as it is a very emotive tale. The characters are so easy to love and through Monica’s writing you can easily imagine who they are and get carried away with them on their journey. It is a second chance love story but it is a refreshing and originals storyline. It seemed to be professionally edited. I really enjoyed how this story carried me away into its world.
Charlie and Johnnie have always loved each other ever since they met as children but sometimes love is not enough, not when demons of one’s past get in the way. Johnnie has always been the darker person fighting his demons and always the one to take but when Charlie is down for the count he is the one that needs to pick up the pieces. However there is one secret that could keep them apart.
Abbie is a precocious 3 year old that will knock your socks off. She is a force of nature and had me laughing out loud.
You don’t want to miss this one.
****4 stars****
Hennessey on the Rocks by Monica DeSimone
Hennessey on the Rocks is a contemporary second chance romance about a couple that ended their relationship because of the complications of real life. They dealt with the past, secrets, emotions, and communication issues. Throughout the entire book you can tell that they have so much love for one another, but just can’t seem to get on the same page so that they can move forward. I was rooting for them to get their crap together and just be a happy family. All of the characters were very likable and well developed and the author did a great job of showing the real emotions involved in coparenting when there are still unresolved feelings involved. This was a pretty quick smooth read and I look forward to reading more by this author in the future. If you want a book that shows peoples real struggles with emotions, without getting too heavy then Hennessey on the Rocks is a good one for you. It’ll suck you in.
Mom and renowned professional Chef Charlie picks up her family and moves back home to Camden, Maine. Once home her ex-husband Jonathan finds himself on her doorstep. The only women he has ever loved. Trying to be a part of his family he moves into the guest apartment above the garage. Will Jonathan’s demons and Charlie’s secret keep them from a happily ever after? Hennessey on the Rocks By Monica DeSimone has so many ups and downs it’s a roller coaster. Both Charlie and Jonathan are stubborn and a little selfish and sometimes even a little childish but it makes for a heck of a story.
I loved this story! Hennessey on the Rocks is a modern, timeless romance! This book will make you laugh, cry, and gasp with every turn of the page. Great character development, you will wish these characters were your family! I couldn’t put the book down. I can’t wait to read more from Monica DeSimone!
Hennessey on the Rocks by Monica DeSimone
5 Stars
I loved this book. It was completely unique and different than anything else ive read in a long time.
I stayed kind of confused the first bit trying to figure out some things but as it went on I knew why, one conversation between Charlie and her friend put it all in perspective for me. I read this in one sitting because I enjoyed every word and couldn’t put it down. I think the children in this story were my favorite part, their characters were written perfectly..Another favorite was that I felt like I could visualize every part of Charlie’s home and wanted to transport myself there and never return.
I loved the relationship that was shared by all..Family, even if it was strained in many ways and actually got worse..family was still the feeling I got while reading.
I think it was awesome how I went into this book thinking the title meant one thing and it turned out I was so off base and had so much of a deeper meaning and that ending… I had the biggest smile.
Highly recommend this book and this author.
Awesome!!
Hennessey on the Rocks by Monica DeSimone is a contemporary romance you won’t be able to put down. I was sucked in from the beginning and couldn’t read it fast enough.
Charlie is a successful chef. She’s smart and independent but she’s afraid the city is making her jaded. Charlie decides what she needs is to return to her roots in Maine so, she makes the move back to the quiet coastal town she calls home. While Charlie planned returning to Camden, Jonathan never expected he would return. He really didn’t expect to show up at Charlie’s door either. It’s been a long time for the two of them and there are many secrets between them. Will they be able to keep the secrets or will it ruin everything?
This book was so enjoyable to read. I couldn’t put it down without find out what happened next. This is the first book I’ve read by this author but it won’t be the last!
I really liked the idea of this story. This is a second chance love story. My major issue is there is just a bit too much of thinking inside their heads for me. The story otherwise was good but the back half was a quicker paced story.
I can’t write this review and not mention the children in this story. They are two of the most adorable kids. They are highly intelligent (maybe a bit too much for their age) and full of charm and wit. The animals and their craziness add some fun here as well.
The title of the story is perfect for both Hennessey’s. They each get their time on the rocks. The author did a nice job incorporating the title into the story. I love this because it works in so many planes.
Hennessey on the Rocks is my first book by DeSimone and won’t be the last. This story has quite a few feels throughout. Lots of hurting and misunderstanding between the main characters of Johnnie and Charlie. The kids, Abie and Jace, are so super cute and funny and stuck in the middle of adult crap. However, I do like the way this author makes the kids put the adult situations right back on the adults!
This story is easy to read in that the plot is well written and flows naturally. The story itself, the heart ache of the characters, is what hurts. Good overall story and will read more from this author in the future.
Renowned chef Charlotte “Charlie” Hennessey moved back to her hometown to give her children a life that she felt they deserved. She felt that getting away from the hustle and bustle of city life was just what she needed. Jonathan Hennessey, an award-winning author, has been spinning tales since he could remember. He has been running from his demons in hopes that he will finally be able to out run them. There is a major secret that lies between their happily ever after that could spell disaster. Will they be able to bring things together and live happily ever after or will they be forever torn apart? The Hennessey’s were a joy to read about and I feel that Ms. DeSimone has done a great job bringing their story to life. It was one of the first books from here that I have read and I look forward to reading more of her works.
From the very first sentence of this romance novel I was hooked. After only an hour of reading I couldn’t believe I had read the whole book because I felt like I had just gone through years of emotions in such a short time. When you have a successful chef and author and two kids, you wouldn’t think such much could happen in one book. There’s times you will go awww, want to wipe tears and will want to laugh all while feeling lost, as if you were watching a friend go through something. It’s amazing how such 3 year old in a book can come accross as the smartest, and towards the end of the book she’s the reason for the novel. I love how brave the single mother Charlie is, and also the courage it took Johnnie, the father, to win her heart again. This book is a definite read, and I can only hope that a Hennessey on the Rocks II comes out!
This book is a great illustration of loving through obstacles and disappointments. Jonathan and Charlotte (Charlie) are real, faulty, proud, and stubborn characters. Their lack of communication is by far the biggest obstacle I could see. They have a deep and abiding love for each other and their kids, but neither wants to open up and be vulnerable. This story is not a high pace action romance, but instead presents realistic problems and issues sprinkled with the joy and love of adorable kids. There is plenty of humor mixed into to keep it from being dark. This story will take you through many emotions, but it you will definitely be rooting for the parents to wisen up and take advice from their kids.
From the very start of this book i was hooked. Charlie is a mother anyone can easily realted to in day to day life. Jonathan is someone who you can also understand and sympathies with. You can real relate to the characters and immerse yourself into this story. Entering this world immersing you deeper into the story and you can feel your heart strings been pulled with every chapter. Absolutely loved this book from start to finish I couldn’t but it down a great down to earth story to grit your teeth into. This book had me both laughing and crying . I would highly recommend reading this book.
Charlie is a divorced mother of two that is returning to the town she grew up in to get her life back on track. Leaving Manhattan, and her ex-boyfriend, and moving back to Maine is about spending time with her kids and finding herself again. Remodeling her family home to include a skate park for the kids and a workspace for herself is just the fresh start they all need. However, it takes two months for her ex-husband, Johnnie, to show his face and let her know that their son, Jace, is unhappy with the move. Oh, and Johnnie wants to stick around to find himself and ensure his son finds happiness again.
Oh…Johnnie is also still in love with Charlie and knows she is the glue that keeps him together. But they have been down this path and have hurt each other along the way. There may be too many past demons and lies for them to have the future they both hint at wanting. Being a guest on Charlie’s property is a start, but an accident sets into motion a series of events that could help them find each other again. Can they both set their pride aside long enough to what’s best for both the children in their lives and find their way back to each other?
This story was full of ups and downs. The moment I thought they would finally get through their issues, something would happen that would set them back. I did find myself engaged with the story the whole time and wanting to read the next chapter to see where it would lead. Monica DeSimone is a new author to me, but I found her writing style to be enjoyable and I would not hesitate to read something by her in the future.
Hennessey on the Rocks by Monica DeSimone – Review by Gail Guerrero
4 stars
My mouth has been on the floor most of this book. I’ve never read so many ups and downs in one book. The plot twist still has me shocked. Only because I didn’t figure it out sooner. Johnnie is pure drama but so worth it. Charlotte is a great character with understandable flaws. When you’re hurt you will do anything to save yourself. I do feel like the author repeated a lot of the same information. Overall I really enjoyed the story. Jace was a great kid and it was sad to see him have to step up into an adult roll. The characters developed slowly and we spent most of the story trying to get past their hurt feelings. I don’t know if I would have been so forgiving as they were to each other. Though I do still want a taste of the Hennessy on the rocks. The title of the story was perfect. I recommend this story if you like a few broken people trying to find their way.