I have to admit that I have a guilty pleasure. Even though I’m a middle-age man, I’ll be 62 in August, I also like to read romance novels.
My favorite Romance Novelist happens to live on the Delmarva Peninsula near Rehoboth and writes under the pen name of K.L. Montgomery. She has created a series of romance novels, using the setting of the resort area, simply called “Romance in Rehoboth”.
The latest book in the series is “The Music Man“. Although it has just been released, Ms Montgomey is calling it the first book in the series.
Claire and Jack were first introduced in “Fat Girl”. Jack is the music teacher that Claire meets in “Fat Girl” and a relationship forms between them. But in “Fat Girl” their story together wasn’t a big part, it was Claire story.
“Music Man” has Jack entering a music contest, not unlike the ones that you see on TV. Music has always been his 1st love, but for a time he had given it up. Now he has the chance to revive his dream. Only there are complications. The questions are how will it affect the developing relationship with Claire and other life issue that pop-up along the way.
If you haven’t read the previous books in the series, this is a great start. If you’ve read the others books, you already know a little of what happens. But it’s great to learn more about Jack and Claire.
Each of the books are stand alone stories and don’t need to be read in order. There are common characters in the stories, but often as just pass through character in the stories. I always find that when one of those familiar characters makes an appearance it’s like meeting up with an old friend.
Even though “Fat Girl” is now not consider as the first book of the “Romance in Rehoboth” series, Ms Montgomery decided after writing it to begin her “Romance in Rehoboth” series and placed as the first book. “Music Man” takes place in the middle of the time period of “Fat Girl” and tell about the romance beginnings between Claire and Jack.
Fat Girl, written in 2014, is the story of Claire Sterling who is approaching 40 moves back to her parents home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware to begin Divorce proceeding, after discovering her husband has had an affair with a much younger woman. Her adventures includes her gay best friend, writing a syndicated blog in the New York Times and the hazards of being a “Fat Girl” dating in the new world of online dating.
I have to say I think that the title “Fat Girl” isn’t really a good title for the book. Yes, she is a lady who has have problems with weight fluctuations during the years of her marriage, in fact from puberty. The story is so much more than that. Ms Montgomery considers herself an author who writes stories of positive body images, this one does that in an amazing way. Some of the best part of the story are of Claire’s NY Times columns and reactions from them.
She encounters some ups as well as many or more downs. There are quite a few surprises though out the book. A few that will make you sad, and others will almost make you stand up and cheer.
Of course, I am an older male (I’m nearly 60 and maybe that in itself is a story to tell) and Romance Novels aren’t really the top of the list of reading material, but I found the story entertaining and well worth the time it takes to read it.
The second book in the “Romance in Rehoboth” series is “The Flip” as Andrew and Sonnet come together 10 years after their High School graduation. Andrew’s Great Aunt Penny left her house to both him and Sonnet, who grew up in the house next door.
They both agreed that the best thing to do is take a look at the house and do whatever work was needed to sell the property near the beach in Rehoboth and split the profits.
During school the two competed against each other, even though they walked in two different worlds. Andrew, a jock who excelled in his classes naturally, while Sonnet was the nerd who worked hard to get top grades. As their senior year was closing the two were nearly tied for Valedictorian. A honor she did just edge him out.
The house wasn’t like they remembered. It needed to be cleaned of items that were left there by Aunt Penny and needed plenty of repair work. It turned into two month project that saw the friendly enemies become friends and more.
It is told from two viewpoints, that of Andrew and Sonnet. I found Ms Montgomery to be quite good with the voice of a 28 year old young man who has a dream. A dream that once Sonnet learns she does what she can to make that dream come true. Even as the repairs to the house requires more and more money and attention.
Sonnet also has a dream. She is actually a Rocket Science working at Wallops Island, Virgina and wants to get her doctorate from MIT. Just prior to the beginning of the story her application to MIT was turned down.
In my view the ending was predictable, coming to it though was an enjoyable adventure. I really enjoyed the summer of “The Flip” through the eyes of Andrew and Sonnet and how the house that was a big part of their youth brought the two together for an amazing adventure. One that is full of unique people and out of the ordinary problems.
The third book, is “Plot Twist“.
The story is told in dual person narrative by Lindy and Meric. Lindy is a school teacher in her 30’s still living at home with her parents. Meric is an accountant who has just divorce his cheating wife. He discovered her and his business partner together in their marital bed. The story is the typical story of how they meet one another, grows to love one another without telling the other one, and come together at the end of the story.
It is also a story of a backstage romance. Two actually. Although the first is just one of the plot twists. Claire and Jack, the couple in Fat Girl, the first book in the series has written a Rehoboth Pirate musical. The musical is being performed in the club that Drew, from The Flip owns. After casting and rehearsals are in process two of the Principal Players get together and then decides to run off to Mexico. This leaves a big gap that bring Lindy and Meric together as the two new Principals and a need to rewrite a portion of the musical as opening night nears.
One amusing side plot has to do with a Meric’s dog, which one day is stolen from him by his ex-wife, with a scheme devised by the one you’d least expect to get him back.
4th book in the series is Badge Bunny.
This is the story of Chris, a state trooper, and Brynne, an ER Doctor. It is at the ER where the two first meet. Even though Chris was drawn to Brynne at this first meeting, Brynne was less than impressed. She had earned the title Badge Bunny at a time she had an attraction to cops, but after being hurt by one, she has ruled them out.
Of course time and nature brings the two together and each are invited to the off beat wedding of Andrew and Sonnet, the couple from The Flip where disaster strikes with Chris and Brynne saving the night.
Without giving too much away, this book also continues the story of Andrew and Sonnet from “The Flip”.
Next in the series When a big chain wedding store comes into Rehoboth, the area’s bridal shop and men’s formal wear shops take notice. They fear for their livelihood. Under normal circumstances they would come together to battle the big bad bully. Only problem, the two families have been in a feud with one another for over 20 years.
But that doesn’t stop Hannah Robinson and Jason Friday from coming together to create a plan to put Über Brides out of business in Rehoboth and save their families business.
As they work together they unravel the secret of the feud and fall in love. The final plan come comes to a hilarious conclusion at the end with help of other area businesses that have felt the impact.
Some of the Romance stories I have read have crazy plot lines that in reality probably wouldn’t happen. To be honest, I feel that this is one of them. Although if you suspend belief it is a pretty funny and enjoyable tale.
After receiving a rejection letter from the Little Miss Rehoboth pageant for her “princess'” entry to the pageant, Larissa goes to the new pageant director Mateo for answers. His family has run the pageant for years and he has just taken over the role of director. The reason that Larissa’s daughter, Hailey, and a few others was they didn’t fit the ‘mold’ of a Little Miss Rehoboth. After consideration the rules are changed by Mateo and all girls, including Hailey, a special child, and a boy are a accepted.
Larissa and Mateo have an instant attraction to one another. To keep their relationship secret Larissa becomes a stereotypical Stage Mom.
I highly recommend this book. Having had a Special Needs child myself and working as an advocate within education community I have seen mothers like Larissa doing what is needed to get what’s needed for their child. Too often there is discrimination against these children where there is no reason. It’s bad enough that they are seeing what can only be called bullying by kids, but there is often bullying bu adults, like it’s shown in this book. Ms Montgomery in this book shows us how just the little things can make a child happy, and how those hard working Single Moms can find happiness in their lives too.
Even though the books can be read in any order, as I mentioned earlier I would suggest that one reads The Flip prior to Badge Bunny since in its own way it is a sequel to The Flip.
Book 1: Music Man (Claire and Jack’s Story)
Book 2: The Flip (Sonnet and Drew’s Story)
Book 3: Plot Twist (Lindy and Meric’s Story)
Book 4: Badge Bunny (Brynne and Chris’s Story)
Book 5: Wedding War (Hannah and Jason’s Story)
Book 6: Stage Mom (Larissa and Mateo’s Story)
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Biography from Amazon:
K.L. Montgomery grew up in Greencastle, Indiana, and studied psychology and library science at Indiana University. After a career as a librarian, she now writes novels and wrangles three sons and four cats at her home in rural Delaware, which she shares with her husband and the aforementioned creatures. She has an undying love of Broadway musicals, the beach, the color teal, IU basketball, paisleys, and dark chocolate.
Visit K.L.’s website at www.klmontgomery.com and sign up for her newsletter. You can follow her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/GreenCastles, Twitter (@KLMontgomery8) or Instagram (k.l.montgomery)