Official Review: Only Emma by RC Bonitz
Posted: 02 Aug 2016, 18:08
[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Only Emma" by RC Bonitz.]
2 out of 4 stars
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My review for Only Emma by RC Bonitz
Lissey Hartnet is harbormaster of a little marina in the middle of nowhere. Her parents moved there when she was 14 years old, with grand ideas that never culminated, and two years later, turned over the running of the marina to Lissey. Feeling stuck, and with no other options in sight, Lissey is swiftly on her way to being a Scrooge. Then, Bruce Duncan and his “son” show up. Or is it a daughter? Bruce makes a rather bad impression on Lissey during their first meeting. He also refers to his child as Emma, obviously a girls name. But later, when in public, he says the child's name is David. David/Emma has a very short haircut and is young enough (5 years old) that it could go either way. Lissey is immediately suspicious and determined to get to the bottom of this mystery.
Bruce Duncan has many secrets. When the truth finally comes out, Lissey will have to decide if she can trust a man again, or if her past is too heavy to release. In the midst of this, there is also Lissey's meddling parents, a promiscuous best friend who wants Bruce for her own, and an amorous islander who is determined to marry Lissey.
This book started off very promising. Bruce Duncan and his child are obviously running from something, and the fact that Emma/David is so capable as a 5 year old is suspicious to begin with. Lissey is a broken woman, with secrets of her own. She definitely needs a hero to swoop in and save her.
Although this story had a good outline, it failed to deliver. It never developed any depth to the story, in my opinion. Lissey is head over heels one minute, and suspicious the next. She changes emotion way to often during this entire story. In addition, some of her emotional scenes are just over the top. For example, both Lissey and Bruce have scenes when they fall to their knees (in Lissey's case, in the middle of the store) in tears over something that happened (granted, a traumatic event) in the past. Then, there is the fact that Lissey giggles. A lot. Coming from a woman who is supposedly stern, in control, and capable, it is rather incongruous.
Overall, this story was ok, but not something that I would recommend. With work though, it could be very good. I am giving this book 2 out of 4 stars.
******
Only Emma
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2 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
My review for Only Emma by RC Bonitz
Lissey Hartnet is harbormaster of a little marina in the middle of nowhere. Her parents moved there when she was 14 years old, with grand ideas that never culminated, and two years later, turned over the running of the marina to Lissey. Feeling stuck, and with no other options in sight, Lissey is swiftly on her way to being a Scrooge. Then, Bruce Duncan and his “son” show up. Or is it a daughter? Bruce makes a rather bad impression on Lissey during their first meeting. He also refers to his child as Emma, obviously a girls name. But later, when in public, he says the child's name is David. David/Emma has a very short haircut and is young enough (5 years old) that it could go either way. Lissey is immediately suspicious and determined to get to the bottom of this mystery.
Bruce Duncan has many secrets. When the truth finally comes out, Lissey will have to decide if she can trust a man again, or if her past is too heavy to release. In the midst of this, there is also Lissey's meddling parents, a promiscuous best friend who wants Bruce for her own, and an amorous islander who is determined to marry Lissey.
This book started off very promising. Bruce Duncan and his child are obviously running from something, and the fact that Emma/David is so capable as a 5 year old is suspicious to begin with. Lissey is a broken woman, with secrets of her own. She definitely needs a hero to swoop in and save her.
Although this story had a good outline, it failed to deliver. It never developed any depth to the story, in my opinion. Lissey is head over heels one minute, and suspicious the next. She changes emotion way to often during this entire story. In addition, some of her emotional scenes are just over the top. For example, both Lissey and Bruce have scenes when they fall to their knees (in Lissey's case, in the middle of the store) in tears over something that happened (granted, a traumatic event) in the past. Then, there is the fact that Lissey giggles. A lot. Coming from a woman who is supposedly stern, in control, and capable, it is rather incongruous.
Overall, this story was ok, but not something that I would recommend. With work though, it could be very good. I am giving this book 2 out of 4 stars.
******
Only Emma
View: on Bookshelves
Like Paliden's review? Post a comment saying so!