RELEASE DAY PROMO & REVIEW: Just Like in the Movies by M.B. Feeney

 Just Like in the Movies 

M.B. Feeney

Blurb:

Ava Jones has settled for a life that she’s not sure she wants anymore, but won’t admit it. Her best friend, Erica Davidson talks her into taking a break on the Isle of Wight. Her days on the island are spent thinking things through, and arguing with Morgan whom she hates on principal.

Is it so wrong for her to want a life that follows the script of a honest to God romance film?

Excerpt:

I’d met Marcus Tripp not long after joining Wilson Insurance. Although I’d never really fancied him, he was persistent. Our friendship had grown, and we’d fallen into a routine that suited both of us. I was happy with the attention, and the sex . . . yeah, it was okay. 

As time passed, the earth rarely moved when we were intimate; more often than not, it was pretty much over before it began. Still, we stayed together, more out of habit and familiarity than anything else. We did love each other. I just wasn’t sure that it was enough.

In the evenings I spent alone, I would daydream about living the life of a lead in a Hollywood chick flick, but then reality would slap some sense into me. My life was as good as it was going to get. I wasn’t about to be swept off my feet any time soon. 

Marcus and I were comfortable, and that was enough — for me, at least. I was too scared to ask Marcus what he felt. 

We tried for a couple of years to have children, but it never happened. After many serious discussions, we decided to give up on the idea altogether. That was when we bought our first fur baby: a beautiful Collie cross called Rhea. She was our little girl, and we both doted on her. We assuaged our guilt over our mutual neglect by caring for Rhea, devoting our attention to another living being rather than to each other. The puppies, Remus and Romulus, soon joined her, and our “family” was complete. 

For as long as I’d known him, Marcus had played Sunday League football, which was followed by an afternoon with his teammates at the very pub I was now approaching. Coupled with training one evening a week, his evenings out gave me more than enough time to spend with Erica or at home with the dogs. 

“Have you thought any more about that holiday I mentioned?” Erica asked while we claimed our usual table. Our customary bottle of red wine was already ready and waiting for us. 

“I have . . .” My words drifted away when I thought back to her idea of a girlie getaway on the Isle of Wight. Just as its name suggested, the top-class Lakeside Hotel with attached spa was located right next to a beautiful lake. Bliss.

“And? Why the hesitation?” Erica pushed like she always did, her blue eyes flashing once more as she looked into my brown ones. 

The idea of a real getaway made the blonde hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, but I tried to rein in my excitement. “I don’t know. It sounds amazing, and Lord knows I could do with some time away.”

“Do it, then.” I knew I had enough holiday time available at work. Screw it. 

“Let’s do it.”

Sarah's Review: 

First I want to thank Ren Rom Publishing for the ARC of this anthology.  I also want to thank Ms. Feeney for the book information featured in this post.   

I was sucked into this story very quickly and it didn't disappoint.  I love how the chapter titles played on the title of the story.  I loved that it started with two friends going on vacation that lead to a happily ever after for both friends.   I think what I loved the most about the characters was the simple fact that it wasn't an instant attraction, but they had to work at it.  It shows that the best things in life don't come easy and that they can come when least expected.   

This was the perfect story to put in the middle of two intense stories!