Carol Maloney Scott

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K.J. Farnham's review Nov 21, 14 · edit
4 of 5 stars
bookshelves: chick-lit, contemporary-romance, women-s-fiction
Read from November 15 to 21, 2014

Claire is a thirty-something divorcee who has ventured back into the dating world. Complications arise due to the fact that she is unable to have children, which she feels eliminates the prospect of finding love with a younger man or anyone who wants children. The first couple of dates she goes on are a result of online dating - these dates show more offer many laughs and end horribly! On top of meeting men via the Internet, Claire is encouraged by her friend/co-worker to attend Meetup events (which don't pan out much better than the online dating). Throughout the story, she is torn about her feelings for a younger co-worker as well as a new (also younger) neighbor - both she finds attractive and both are interested in her.

The first half of the story is quite funny. I love Scott's snappy humor. She also includes a lot great visual language. For example: "He looks like a cross between a little boy who is afraid of the headmistress at the orphanage and a puppy who wants a belly rub."

A few funny quotes:

"Claire, you're going out partying when Jesus was nailed to the cross?" - Claire's mother on going out before Easter.

"Barbie actually looks like a hooker in her hot pink mini dress and stiletto glitter boots..." - Claire's thoughts on a neighbor girl's Fashionista Barbie

While I enjoyed all of the humor and getting to know Claire during the first half of the book (all though she cries way too much), I felt like the story moved slowly at times. There were several occasions when I skimmed unnecessary details, such as the description of the furniture and bedding in her sister's apartment and the fact that she picks up a glass of wine and slowly moves to the kitchen to sit down at a table. There was quite a lot of extraneous information like this in the first half. However, as soon as Nathan the "perfect" doctor (yikes!) showed up, I couldn't stop reading because I really wanted to find out how things would pan out with him. He was so unlikeable that I loved reading about him. Claire blindly focused on his outward appearance while ignoring his MANY controlling and snobbish behaviors, which had me wanting to shake some sense into her. This kept me reading as well - she had to wise up sooner or later! The introduction of Nathan and Brandon's character development made me really enjoy the second half. show less

I absolutely LOVED this book. With each instalment of the the Rom-Com on the Edge series, we are given loads of real-life issues and they are blended with a comedic outtake, to make the perfect read.

I liked that this book went back to focus on our main characters, from book 1. We picked up a little bit after the our last details from book two, with Claire finally getting the child she always wanted. However, we are now hit with everything a woman feels, especially as she ages and kids take show more over the family life. Anger, Jealousy, Fear, Insecurities, Worry and the feeling you will lose your partner to a younger version of yourself.

As Claire approaches the next stage of womanhood, they are looking to adopt again (yes, already). However, with a blend of young, flirtatious women, the inability to keep up and a growing gap between the two, we see the relationship start to fray. We have to read along as both funny and sad things happen to them and their friends, which furthers the problem. Just when you think things couldn’t get worse, an old fling of Claire’s comes back to town and they deal with working together, only on friendly terms of course…

I liked the further development of the characters, in the book. Yes, sometimes I was furious with both of them, for how they were thinking and acting, but mostly I loved them and just how real they were. None of us want to admit we are either of them, but we all have a bit of them personalities in us.

The humour in the book was perfect. Once again, Carol has given us an excellent match of giggles with a more serious side. I also liked that, just like the previous books, the humorous moments we a great mix of ‘what the, WHAT?!’ moments and things that we have all truly seen happen. It was easy to go from laughing to crying my eyes out, as I saw where their lives went, and I loved every moment of it.

I also thought the pace was very good. We were given ample time to get to know the new characters, reintroduce ourselves to the characters that weren’t in book two and see how the mains moved forward. Carol also gave us the opportunity to feel swept up in it all, with slightly faster paced moments, giving you the feeling you were actually in the story.

Overall, this is a brilliant book. I have loved every book in this series and the writing style of the author. I highly recommend this book!

* I was given this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion. show less

I love everything about Carol Maloney Scott’s writing. It is real, down to earth and has you rolling throughout. None of her work is over the top or just humour for humour’s sake. It is always a series of events that I can actually see happening and I find it fun to treat as an inside joke, along with all the other fans of hers.

I fell for the author’s writing, after reading There Are No Men and was semi-patiently waiting for. Ok two, from the moment I closed the back cover. When I show more heard who the second book was about, I knew it was going to be excellent, but I had not idea just how much excellence I was truly in for.

In this book we take on the viewpoint and life of one of our previous main character’s friends. She played a huge part I TANM and, especially with some of the one-liners she pulled in that book, I knew I was in for a treat. She picky, brash, boisterous and loved hitting the hay…in the naughty way. She isn't afraid of what size she is, how she eats or to speak her mind, but she is afraid of commitment. Deathly afraid. Those aren't her only fears though.

Throughout the book, we get the opportunity to get to know her, watch her tackle her fears, run from her cougar past and befriend an unlikely ally. We see her deal with hair explosions, rituals and even loo roll showdowns. Every step of the way she learns, remains true to herself and in hilarious.

The pace of the story was excellent. I found myself really enjoying the moments where we slowed down and got to know more about the main character and her supporting characters, but I thoroughly enjoyed the faster-paced moments where we were taken along for a ride on the funny train.

The supporting characters we just as brilliant as the main. We already know a few of them, but we are still given details to get to know them more and see where their life has gone since book one. The new characters we are introduced to have a variety of personalities, characteristics and each trait really shines, whether that be in parallel with our main or as a complete clash. It makes for great arguments and truly hilarious situations that you can't help but giggle about.

The story that is told is one that I've seen people deal with, as an overall situation. Finding love at a later stage in life, whether due to divorce, loss of a partner or just not finding the right one, it is a tough situation and often leads to arguments, accidents and nights they just want to forget. All of those can be found in this book and so much more.

I really think this is a book you can't miss. It can be read on its own, but I highly recommend reading book one first, at some of the jokes will be even funnier and you will connect with the main character more.

Honestly, Carol Maloney Scott has hit gold with this book. I truly loved it, enjoyed it, laughed with it and cannot wait for book three! show less

The Story

Claire has gotten herself in to one pickle after another, not literally. She woke up, post-hysterectomy to find herself alone, in her thirties and a bit at a loss for words. As far as pickles, well she really hasn't got much experience, with her (former) husband being her only gherkin experience.

What is she supposed to do? All she's ever wanted was to be one of those happy families, Mum, Dad and a few little ones running around. Her uterus had something else in mind, and after the show more several miscarriages she experienced, with her hubby, it was impossible to believe in that dream anymore.

Ready to start over again, she made a plan:

1) Only date older men (preferably in the 40s or above) to avoid the kid issue.*

2) Get work under control and be successful.

3) Never think about kids again.

* The kid issue is hereby referred to as 'The Mess' and refers to all instances of child-rearing where Claire can no longer partake, i.e. having her own children (therefore not dating a man who is younger and would want children) and raising the children of another marriage (being the stepmom is so evil and tiresome)*

However, avoiding The Mess becomes more of a problem than Claire expects. Be it rabid Toupees attacking over dinner, odd hats, leather thong infested weirdos, younger men or just dirtbags - Claire seems to be unable to avoid all the things she despises.

Over a few months, Claire turns to a downward spiral. First she couldn't find a man (who she found remotely attractive and was older) for the life of her. Then she seems to have them crawling out of the woodworks. Only one problem, to of the certifiable hunks are much too young.

With that in mind, Claire tries her best to avoid any relationship with them, though she does falter slightly (they are outrageously hot). Then she meets HIM. The one. The ever illusive man who meets all her criteria, and he's a doctor.

After a few dates, she's fallen head over heels, but is this match all it's cracked up to be? Will she have to give up everything she loves just to please him? Or is there another option waiting to satisfy more than her urge to be loved?

What I Thought

I was very interested in this story, having several people close to me who have been divorced and some who are in the same situation with children. Plus, I had my own pull to this story, in that I am adopted, just like one of the heartthrobs.

With that in mind, I expected a few of the typical topics to come up: Hatred for the ex, nervousness about never having children of your own, anxiety about adopting and about never meeting anyone and that crazy time in between getting over your ex and finding what YOU need. All of these were covered brilliantly in the story.

There were a couple of personal points I wasn't fond of in the beginning, such as the main character referring to prayer for everything that was happening and especially to get her through rough times, but this is only personal as I am not very religious and don't believe that is the correct time to pray, but in know what does this detract from the whole story. I also (in the beginning) didn't like the main character and the doctor's reference to rock and metal music being something for children and that you should 'grow out of it.' However, my opinion of this changed after looking back on the story. For the religion, it was actually refreshing to see the insides of a character who thinks in a way that is vastly different to my own. With reference to the music, I still don't agree with the statements, however I now see (after knowing the ending and the full character) that it was possibly proving a point. No one has to/needs to/ or does grow out of the things they enjoy, they only learn (sometimes the hard way) that they don't need to change, they just need to find someone who loves them just as they are.

I liked the character depth and detail, as well as the pace of the story. I often found myself thinking ' oh no, what has Claire done now' and giggling for all the trouble she was about to get in. I also found her 'pru deness', which is referred to throughout the story, quite funny. She wanted/needed a release, and knew this, but her feelings toward sex and relationships kept her from indulging. Though I may feel and think very differently, I do know people of that thought process, i.e. my mother, and found myself giggling at some of the conversations I have had with said people, regarding intimacy.

Truly, this story was a bit of everything: anger, hatred, fear, sorry, excitement, heart pounding, funny and inspiring. I really enjoyed it and the messages it got across. I am going to recommend this to a lot of people, especially my mum and mother-in-law, as I think they will be rolling at the predicaments.

OVERALL: Very well written story. Though it may have moments where you do not agree with the characters or their decisions, I implore you to stick with this book to the end, as it will surprise you in so many ways- and leave you inspired to spread the word about the book of love, trust, intimacy and real family. show less