Julie Carobini

This book is a nice look at past relationships and getting a second chance. I liked Addi and how thoughtful she is to others. She never left her hometown and seems to be content with her life. She helps her father at his store and there is a hint that maybe he is having some problems. Addi is in for a big surprise when someone from her past shows up.

Jax Cooper returns to help his siblings after their mother passes away. She had a big heart for dogs and ran a foster program. Now that she is show more gone, Jax and his siblings must decide what to do with the shelter and other things such as her house. He has been away a long time and is quite surprised when he runs into Addi. There is an uncomfortable encounter between them. He never forgot her and now here she is still single and living in the town they grew up in.

There are moments in the story where we see Jax and Addi start to open up to each other but something always stops them. Jax is starting to realize that maybe his life is going too fast as he buries himself in his work. He has lost that closeness with his family and especially God. I did like the mystery of one of Jax’s brother missing. He never showed up for their mother’s memorial which is not like him at all. They find a message from him on Facebook but it makes no sense to anyone.

When Addi reveals a secret about Jax’s brother who has been missing since his mother’s death, the truth becomes more than just a confession. Jax never realized what he had done to his brother all those years ago. It is sad to see that a secret can destroy many lives. Addi thought she was doing the right thing, but now she realizes that keeping that secret cost relationships. Can she repair her relationship with her dad? How can she make Jax understand that she kept quiet to protect him?

The author illustrates what happens when you open up to God and allow Him to heal from the past. Forgiveness is at the heart of this story as siblings reconnect and past relationships find a way to try again. The ending is nice and reminds me that it is never to late to follow your dream.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion. show less

I can not believe that this is my FIRST Julie Carobini novel! Where have I been hiding at???? I have some of her books on my book shelf to be read, but haven't actually gotten to them yet. I am so disappointed in myself! I should be punished. Plain and simple. Julie is FANTASTIC! This book had me hooked instantly and kept me hanging on to every word, every sentence, every page until the last one was turned. WOW! I LOVED it!

Fade to Blue is a story of letting go, moving on and healing from show more the pain of the past. A story with characters who seem real, I laughed and I cried throughout this novel. Suz just wanted a new life for her and her son as she traveled cross country to a California town.....far away from her ex-husband. Seth was her old flame and he wants to make a new life too, and try to forget his old one. But the two of them still have some unresolved feelings to work through.

I'm not so sure I liked Len just showing up to claim his family again, after being released from jail. While I didn't like that, I know that Julie Carobini had to add it to the story to bring out the realistic feel to it. It really made me, as a reader, think how real these issues are.

Seeking God's will and trusting in Him is a strong message through the entire story. It really made the characters genuine and true. Carobini blends just the right of romance and a bit of humor into the seriousness of the story, and never left me hanging.

I am so glad that I read this novel and am now a HUGE Carobini fan! Her beach setting gives this a relaxing, fun tone to the novel and a reader can seriously drift away into the midst of the scenery and make friends with the people of Otter Bay. Definitely highly recommended with 4 stars! I can't wait to go back and read the other novels that I have here by Julie.....if they are like this fantabulous read, then I know I won't be disappointed! show less

There aren't many times I stop reading a book -- in fact I try to do that less than 2-3 times a year (reading over 60 books a year). I am going to cash in that chip with this book. It feels rushed and disorganized. I feel like I am listening to a story being shouted by someone on a crackling cell phone -- I get pieces and do a lot of putting things together myself.
I am a big fan of beach reading -- and a light fluffy book now again -- but this won't make your summer feel light and airy -- show more instead labored and frustrating. show less

I found this book just ok. The plot was fine - three sisters move to their old hometown and must confront the realities of their father's past. The main character, Tara, learns many lessons along the way, like keeping loyal to her father's memory despite what she finds, forgiving him even in death, accepting new neighbors who are less than kind, and falling in love at the same time. She also discovers church. While this is a Christian book, the Christian aspect of it is more subtle than in show more many books I've read. One of the issues I could not get past was the character development. The characters seemed very caricatured, almost. Camille, the little sister/cousin, at 20 years old, acts like the 13-year olds I teach - she is too giggly and childish to be 20. Liz, the middle sister, I never did like. Peg, the mean old lady, was mean in a way that wasn't realistic; no one who ran a business like that would be in business very long. Josh's character wasn't as developed as I would have liked, although I liked him. Overall, the book is an ok, light-hearted read, but if it's a serious Christian message you're seeking or a steaming romance, this book is neither. show less