Review: Ask Me Why by Jodi Thomas, Marie Force, Virginia Kantra and Shirley Jump

A compilation of 4 distinct works, overall I would say this is a 3.5 cocktail read. I’ve written a brief review for each novella. Happy Reading!

Midnight Bet – 3 Cocktails

A well written novella, but there is really too much going on for the length of the story. The author focuses on two interconnected couples, so we don’t have a chance to get to know either one very well. The first couple, Rick and Trace, have a history together. They could have easily had their own story focusing on how they reconnected. The other couple, Doc and Lizzie, have been neighbors for years but never had a reason to really get to know one another until Lizzie needs help. Their story would have also benefitted from being separate from the Rick and Trace story. This novella really should have been a full length novel or split into two.

You’ll Be Mine – 3.5 Cocktails

Marie Force takes us back to Butler, VT for Will and Cameron’s wedding. If you haven’t read (at least) the first book of the Green Mountain series, I think it would be hard to enjoy this work as it’s really a continuation of the love story told there. If you are reading the series, but haven’t read all 4 books, there are some spoilers here. The large cast of secondary characters also contributes to this not really being a standalone work. Like all of Marie’s work, it is well written and a ton of fun.

Wrapped Around Your Finger – 4 Cocktails

A fun friends to lover’s story follows co-works Nick and Maggie (M.J) as they go to her hometown for her best friend’s wedding. Maggie needs a date and on a dare asks Nick to go with her not knowing that he has secretly been in love with her for years. Nick takes advantage of the situation to try and let her know how he feels. Definitely a fun work that easily stands on its own. It would be entertaining to see this novella expanded so that we could get to know Nick and Maggie a little better.

Carolina Heart – 4 Cocktails

We meet Max and Cynthie on Dare Island and they show us that love can mend a broken heart as long as you are brave enough to let it in. Max had a crush on high school Cynthie. Her life since then hasn’t been easy, but she is going back to school and doing her best for her daughters. A chance meeting brings these two back together in a well written short novel. This is a great well written work and stands alone very well as part of the Dare Island series.