This was an easy read but not a particularly engaging one. It took me much longer than I expected to get through this. I think my main issue was the core character (and some of the supporting characters) were not that engaging for me. I think this one might be an acquired taste but not going back to try more of the series ( )

This was an interesting story. I think Abby may be a tad more easy going than I am to just flow with all the things that happen to her in this book, like ending up on an air mattress in an alcove of a strange man's house, next to a stinky cat litter box. The characters were well written, not all likable, but certainly entertaining. The description of island life on island time had me daydreaming, and I could picture it in my mind. The dynamic of Abby and Leigh's relationship was difficult, since I don't have those issues with my own sister. I felt bad for her, but was glad she finally stood up for herself and asserted what she wanted and stated her confidence in her abilities to get it done. The end of the book wasn't really an ending. It was left hanging for the next installment, I am sure. I wouldn't mind reading the next book to find out where her love interests end up because even though she is beginning a relationship with Andrew, the real heat is being put on by J.D. as the book winds down. Even if she doesn't end up with him, J.D. is certainly going to stir up some trouble for her and Andrew.
I would recommend this read. I was given this book for free in exchange for an honest review. ( )

Rum Punch Regrets by Anne Kemp
ISBN: 9781937957704
I wanted to read this book for a few reasons. One is my brother
Al loved the island there on some of his travels for work. The
other reason is I wanted to 'travel' there for the scenery.
Abby has agreed to travel to St. Kitts and manage and sell her
sisters house as she no longer has a job in LA. Problem is she's
not telling her husband and Abby has a terrible 3 flights to get t
here. It's not actually a house once she arrives but an Inn
where others pay to stay. She's to stay in the other house
where there is a paying tenant also. Things just were not
upfront with her sister Leigh about the house, nor anything
else that is happening. Abby recalls her father and how he had
given each of them a book-The Great Gatsby with an inscription
for them. She knows where hers is located by why is Leigh's here
mixed in with Ben's things. He is the resident studying to be a
vet that is the paying tenant. She meets many local people and
starts to hang out with some of them. Ah island time! Lots of
alcohol and weed. Mishaps happen and things occur to put people
on edge through the process of getting the inn ready to be sold,
as clients stop by with interest in buying it. So many
misunderstandings between a lot of people, they just don't
want to listen to what is the truth. The woman, Maria who is
in charge of the inn helps them to reason things out, not to
get upset and to realize maybe there is no blame. Like how
there are a few major characters and the locals come into the
picture from time to time. It's easy to keep track of everybody
and what they do on the islands. Just when things are smoothed
out a bit all hell breaks loose, Leigh is coming to the island
to finalize a deal and she informs Abby about Ben. But Ben and
Abby were to confront Leigh on Monday, hmmm. So many deep dark
secrets, hidden secrets and hidden loves... ( )

I absolutely adored Rum Punch Regrets. It made me wish I could run off and hang out in the Caribbean, just for a bit! I loved watching Abby stumble through the mystery adventure that her sister sent her on. I loved watching her make friends (some quite fun), find her passion, balance love interests, uncover deep hidden family secrets and ultimately find herself. When the novel ended, I found myself wanting more. So that is a sign of a great 4.5 star novel. I am excited to know that this is part of a series and the Abby George story will continue. I am a new fan of Kemp and I cannot wait to see where this story will take Abby and her crazy cast of friends and family!!! ( )

Author Anne Kemp introduces The Abby George Series with the short prequel novella, All Fruits Ripe, where the reader is introduced to main character Abby George and her sister Leigh. This fun little novella provides the reader with background information into the family dynamic and lives of Abby and Leigh, that whets the reader's appetite and interest into following Abby's Caribbean island adventure on St Kitts in the second book of the series, Rum Punch Regrets. With that being said, the reader can follow the series by reading the books in sequence, or they can just start by reading Rum Punch Regrets, as it is also a book that can stand alone. I personally like to read the books that are a part of a series in sequence, as I want as much background information as possible, and I prefer the flow and continuation of the story from book to book.

Rum Punch Regrets picks up the story where All Fruits Ripe left off: Abby George is a thirty-something LA girl who hasn't had a very good year. She lost her fiance to another woman, her mother passed away from cancer, she was laid off from her job, and she's basically penniless. Abby turned to her older sister Leigh for a sympathetic ear and for moral support, but instead she receives a "chance of a lifetime" proposal. Leigh asks Abby to fly to the Caribbean for a few months to oversee the repairs and sale of her island home. Surprise! Abby didn't know Leigh had a house in the Caribbean, it was a well hidden secret, as Leigh's second hubby, Daryl, doesn't even know the house exists. While Abby relishes a chance to have her own island fantasy adventure, she can't shake her gut feeling that there is a hidden agenda behind her sister's offer. Abby accepts her sister's proposal and embarks on a Caribbean island adventure on the island of St Kitts, only to find out that the Leigh's island "house" is really a Bed and Breakfast! And that's just the beginning of what Abby discovers on her island adventure: family dynamic with drama and secrets, new friendships, reasserting sibling relationships, romance, and a journey of self-discovery all waits her on the beautiful Caribbean island of St. Kitts!

Rum Punch Regrets is an entertaining fast-paced story that has enough drama, mystery and a touch of romance to captivate your interest. Written in a witty third person narrative, the reader is transported to beautiful Caribbean island setting of St Kitts, where they follow Abby on her island adventure full of drama, mystery, and romance. Rich in vivid details and descriptions, the reader can feel the warm island breeze sway through the palm trees as they lay on the sandy beach and sip a cool island rum punch! Abby's adventure will reveal more family secrets and drama, while also leading her on a journey of self-discovery that will change the way she lives her life.

With an engaging cast of characters that are realistic and fun, their antics, dialogues and interactions will keep you in stitches. Abby, Leigh and Ben (who is a renter at the B&B) are all complex individuals, the author does a really fine job of developing the characters, I found them to be intriguing and loved their different personalities. The supporting cast of characters: Maria, Ziggy, Tracey, Cutty and Buddy are bunch of fun people whose crazy antics and interactions makes the story that much more of an entertaining read.

I loved how the author weaves a captivating tale of mystery, drama and romance, she builds the story up to a cliff-hanger where she leaves the reader wanting more, knowing that she has once again whets their appetite for the next book in the series!

Rum Punch Regrets and The Abby George Series is a fun series that will captivate you from the beginning and leave you wanting more just like the refreshing island drink of rum punch does, knowing that you just can't have one!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours.

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