Welcome to another Bookish Friday, in which I share excerpts from books…and connect with other bloggers, who do the same.
Let’s begin the celebration by sharing Book Beginnings, hosted by Rose City Reader; and let’s showcase The Friday 56 with Freda’s Voice.
To join in, just grab a book and share the opening lines…along with any thoughts you wish to give us; then turn to page 56 and excerpt anything on the page.
Then give us the title of the book, so others can add it to their lists!
What better way to spend a Friday!
Today I’m featuring my next read, Falling, by Jane Green, a novel about the pleasure and meaning of finding a home—and family—where you least expect them…
Beginning: “It’s lovely,” she lies, in her most gracious of voices, looking around at the tired wood paneling lining the walls of the living room, floor to ceiling. As she looks down, her gaze lands on well-worn salmon-pink shag carpeting and quickly conceals her horror.
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56: Emma wakes up early the next morning, crawls out of bed to make some coffee, then brings it back with her, slipping between the sheets again, reveling in the luxury of a lazy morning.
All those years she dashed out of bed, went running, on a literal or proverbial treadmill from the minute her feet hit the floor to the minute her head hit the pillow later that night.
***
Synopsis: When Emma Montague left the strict confines of upper-crust British life for New York, she felt sure it would make her happy. Away from her parents and expectations, she felt liberated, throwing herself into Manhattan life replete with a high-paying job, a gorgeous apartment, and a string of successful boyfriends. But the cutthroat world of finance and relentless pursuit of more began to take its toll. This wasn’t the life she wanted either.
On the move again, Emma settles in the picturesque waterfront town of Westport, Connecticut, a world apart from both England and Manhattan. It is here that she begins to confront what it is she really wants from her life. With no job, and knowing only one person in town, she channels her passion for creating beautiful spaces into remaking the dilapidated cottage she rents from Dominic, a local handyman who lives next door with his six-year-old son.
Unlike any man Emma has ever known, Dominic is confident, grounded, and committed to being present for his son whose mother fled shortly after he was born. They become friends, and slowly much more, as Emma finds herself feeling at home in a way she never has before.
But just as they start to imagine a life together as a family, fate intervenes in the most shocking of ways. For the first time, Emma has to stay and fight for what she loves, for the truth she has discovered about herself, or risk losing it all.
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I love novels of discovery, starting over, making changes. I love stories that take me into gorgeous settings, whether they are in the city or a village somewhere. What do you think? Does this one pique your interest?
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I really like the sound of the beginning. Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks, Lauren, I could completely visualize the scene, pretending to think wood paneling and ugly shag carpeting are pretty…lol. Glad you could stop by…enjoy your read!
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This one’s on my list. Green said she based it on her own relationship.
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Wow, I hadn’t heard that…now I am even more intrigued. Thanks for stopping by, Heather.
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I’ve never read any books by Green but I would be interested if it is really based on her own life.
My Friday Quotes
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I love her novels, Anne, and this one sounds even better, if based on her own life. Thanks for stopping by.
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I’ve never read anything by Jane Green before, but this book sounds great.
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Thanks, Breana, I am eager to start reading this one, too. Today, I think. Thanks for visiting.
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Salmon-pink would horrify me too. This sounds like a wonderful book!
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Oh, definitely, Sierra! Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy your weekend.
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I have a few of Green’s books on my shelves unread. I think this may need to be my first!
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Thanks, Karen, and unread books are like hidden treasures, aren’t they? Enjoy!
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Great beginning and I think we can all relate to the situation on page 56. Sounds like an enjoyable read. It will have to go on my already toooooo loooong list of books to read!
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Ah, yes, lying in bed and reveling in a lazy morning…bliss! Thanks for visiting, Lisbeth, and enjoy your books!
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I very much want to read this one and I like what you shared so I want to even more now!
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Thanks, Grace, glad you could stop by….enjoy!
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I enjoy Jane Green’s novels, so I’ll be adding this one to my list. Happy reading!
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Thanks, Catherine, I love reading books from authors who have never let me down. Green is one of them. Enjoy your weekend!
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Not read this author but it sounds like it could be a fun book. 🙂
Stormi
Friday Memes
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Thanks, Stormi, I think it will be. Glad you could stop by.
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Hi Laurel! PLEASE read my comment on the Book Blogger Hop this week on my Friday Meets! This book is EXACTLY what I am talking about. I’ve seen this cover doing the rounds on the blogosphere at least 7 times lately – SOOO, now I want to read it….! Looks really nice. Hope you will have a lovely weekend. http://marelithalkink.blogspot.co.za/2016/07/friday-meets-22-july-2016.html
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Thanks for stopping by, Mareli, and I’m off to check on your comment. Enjoy your weekend.
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I love books about self-discovery as well and this one has been calling my name! I hope you enjoy it!
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Thanks, Katherine, I love when the characters really show some growth, find their a-ha moments, and start the long new journey ahead. Yes! I always want to shout and congratulate them.
Thanks for stopping by…enjoy your reading.
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I love Jane Green’s stories! I bet this is a great read! Happy weekend!
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Me, too, Freda….I was all set to buy this one…and then, happily, found a review copy. Thanks for hosting…and for stopping by.
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While this is totally different than what I usually read, I think this sounds very interesting. I hope you are enjoying it. I am spotlighting City of the Lost by Kelley Armstrong this week. Happy reading!
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Thanks, Kathy, I do love finding books that I hadn’t thought to consider. Enjoy yours!
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I love the sound of this book and it’s on my wishlist – I can’t wait to read it – the beginning makes me laugh and if you’ve ever done any kind of home rehab it’s really spot on – we bought an older house and it was amazing what the previous owners had thought “looked” good…lol…reminds me of that. Thanks for visiting my Friday meme earlier
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Ah, yes, I have memories of ugly carpets and renovating. Thanks for stopping by, Maria.
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I love your rainy day header. The lie reminds me of another title seen this week about lying. I wanted to read it. Have forgotten the exact title. Have a nice weekend.
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Thanks, Hattie…glad you enjoy the header. So do I. Thanks for stopping by, and have a great weekend.
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This does sound good – some people seem to love Jane Green, others not so much. Thanks for sharing and for visiting my blog today.
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Thanks for stopping by, Bev. I have enjoyed Green for years.
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Sounds like one I would like. Another for my TBR pile.
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Thanks, Jo, and I am almost finished with it now, loving every page!
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Sounds like the perfect morning! I also like that her first words are a lie. Says a lot about the character. Happy weekend!
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Yes, that part was definitely fun, wasn’t it? Thanks for stopping by, Alicia.
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