Monday, April 25, 2011

Review + Giveaway!: Semi-Sweet by Roisin Meaney


Book Review: Semi-Sweet
Author of the Book: Roisin Meaney
Publication Date: Today! April 25th, 2011
Publisher: 5 Spot
Recommended Ages: 16 and Up
Type: Adult Fiction
Page Count: 400 Pages
Date Finished: April 23, 2011
Reviewer: Roshini
Acquired: Received ARC through mail from publisher for an honest review.

Synopsis:
Hannah Robinson is just about to open the doors to her new shop Cupcakes on the Corner when out of the blue her boyfriend Patrick announces that he's leaving her for another woman. Faced with starting a business on her own, Hannah begins to wonder if her life-long dream has just turned into a nightmare. So her best friend Adam sets his birthday as a deadline - seven months to make her shop a success, or walk away from it all. And as Hannah immerses herself in her new business, she soon discovers that she's too busy to think about Patrick and his now pregnant girlfriend ...or to notice an increasingly regular customer who has recently developed a sweet tooth for all things cupcake. But while Hannah is slowly piecing her life back together, family friend Alice's is falling apart. Her husband Tom's drinking is getting out of control and things are about to get a whole lot worse. As the seven-month milestone approaches, Hannah must decide her future. And while she's figuring out what's really important, it becomes clear to everyone that happiness in life, and in love, is all in the making. (Via Goodreads)
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Review:
The first thing that happened when I looked at this book was that my stomach started menacingly growling for the delicious looking cupcakes on the front cover of Semi-Sweet!
Semi-Sweet has it all. Drama, romance, cheats, new businesses, and incredibly edible sweets.
Have you ever noticed how many books are coming out these days with centerpieces of food? What makes Semi-Sweet different from all of these other novels is the flow of the writing of Roisin Meaney! This acclaimed and best-selling Irish author writes a book that shows the daily and life troubles of each character with immense detail and skill.
Hannah Robinson's life is turned into a hectic nightmare the second her boyfriend Patrick leaves her for another. This other woman later on, is found out to even be pregnant! Now, Hannah must figure out her love life while opening a new cupcake bakery in a small, Irish town. At first, Hannah is supported by her mother and best friend, Adam. Adam gives her a challenge, live through seven months of the shop-until his birthday and if she can survive that she will keep on with the shop. If she can't make it to his birthday, she can just step away from it all.
Alice has her own problems. She has a husband who is turning into an alcoholic...and she can't stop the metamorphous. While trying to stop a long marriage from the runes, she goes through a lot of events. Some are heartbreaking, others life-changing.
Roisin Meaney really goes into detail about each character by playing out each person's hopes, thoughts, and words into sections of the book. Each small little section in a chapter has a different eye point. She switches from character to character for each little scene.
Though the book was kind of lingering near the middle, the rest of it really had a phenomenal story! Anyone who loves food and learning lessons of life would find this book to be a perfect match.

My Thoughts on the Cover:
Like I said at the beginning of my review, the book really brings out the cupcake cravings in you! I love how it shows all the exotic flavors that Hannah goes out with. The bicycle also gives out this small town feel to it. The cover shows the feel of the novel in whole.
*Thank you to 5 Spot and Roisin Meaney for sending out the ARC for review!

As of today, people in the U.S. can go out and buy a copy of the book! Or you could buy it online...its up to you!

Check out Roisin's Blog:

Rating:
4, Super, but not superior. It's totally worth buying!

Giveaway Time!!!
There are two copies of Semi-Sweet for two winners!!! Thank you to Roisin Meaney/ 5 Spot Publishers!
Please...U.S. Only...I'm on a strict budget!!!
There are extra entries!!!
I hope you guys become a follower!!! (Whoever is new)
This starts on April 25th, 2011 (the book is published this day) and ends on May 13th, 2011!!!


Once again, thank you to the generous donations of the publishers! They donated two finished copies of Semi-Sweet for a giveaway here!!!


GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED
-Winners will be up shortly and notified!





-Roshini
Posted by Roshini at 4/25/2011

11 comments:

  1. VivienApril 26, 2011 at 1:26 AM

    It's always wonderful to just read a normal everyday type of novel. Where we don't have to rely on anything paranormal to carry the story. These stories always seem like a breath of fresh air to me. Great review. I'd want to read this one.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Carol N WongApril 26, 2011 at 5:24 AM

    Yes, I have noticed craving for whatever sweet or other food that is featured in a story. From your review, it sounds like the book would be a great read cupcakes and otherwise.

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Bookworm LisaApril 26, 2011 at 9:27 AM

    You know in Weight Watchers they say to read a book to get your mind off of snacking. this book doesn't sound like it would help me at all. Maybe that's why I want to read it. Thanks for your review.

    ke7yca at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  4. BarbaraApril 26, 2011 at 2:18 PM

    Roshini, I, too, have noticed a theme these days about either books having a foodie cover or food in the title or food in the subject of the book.
    Hannah's dealing with the love lives of so many people around her, let alone at the beginning with her boyfriend leaving her. I think that she'll survive and the business will make it, along with a new love for her along the way!
    Barb

    ReplyDelete
  5. windycindyApril 26, 2011 at 4:30 PM

    I like how you say that they characters in her
    book are highly evolved and the cover is fabulous!
    Again, many thanks to you...
    Cindi
    jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Janae's Book ObsessionMay 5, 2011 at 1:22 PM

    Jeeze! I am finding so many new books that I'm putting on my reading list! Thank you!
    J

    ReplyDelete
  7. alovelywriterxoMay 7, 2011 at 7:06 PM

    -Thanks for your honest review! When I first saw the cover, I really wanted to read it. Maybe it's because there's sweets on the cover and it was starting to make me hungry. :]

    ReplyDelete
  8. SakiraMay 7, 2011 at 8:10 PM

    Great review! I love books that develop the characters, as it's the characters that drive the book. This book really sounds character-driven, and their lives sound complex. I'm adding this to my to-read list!!

    I agree that the cover has me hungry for sweets!!

    --
    Kris

    ReplyDelete
  9. page turner paulinaMay 10, 2011 at 7:32 PM

    This giveaway for Semi-Sweet is well...SWEET! The title is appropriate based on your review, and how there is a touch of sour from the romantic drama in the book. And, I agree about the cover... I'm totally craving a cupcake right about now teehee.

    ReplyDelete
  10. CheyMay 15, 2011 at 8:40 PM

    This book sounds absolutely lovely. I am, admittedly, a sucker for drama and romance...because what is romance without the drama? I don't even care for sweets as much as my friends do, but this cover is so appealing, it makes my mouth water a little.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Andra LynMay 16, 2011 at 3:18 PM

    This book sounds great :) I like contemporary books alot as long as they don't get too repetitive. This one looks to be super cute! Thanks for the chance to win

    ReplyDelete

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