Review by Phoenix-wrising -- One Way or Another
Posted: 08 Jun 2018, 17:05
[Following is a volunteer review of "One Way or Another" by Mary J. Williams.]
4 out of 4 stars
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Picture the scales of justice where two items are measured against each other. The aim is for both sides to balance, but sometimes one outweighs the other. Here’s how One Way or Another weighs in. At times the banter between the sisters outweighs the chemistry between Calder and Adam. Sometimes the steam of their coupling makes the reader forget about the ploys happening around them. Put the comedy and suspense together, and this author offers a romance with just the right balance to make it entertaining.
Can there be enough trust between two people from different ends of the spectrum to satisfy a relationship? Mary J. Williams has published over 26 books that says it can.
The backstory: Patriarch Orville Benedict bequeathed his historical Manhattan mansion to his son (Thomas) with the conditions he expands the estate and passes it to a male heir. Thomas’s only child is a daughter (Wilhelmina) who blessed him with four granddaughters (Andi, Bryce, Calder, and Destry). Despite the granddaughters sired by four different fathers, “Billie” makes sure they carried the last name of Benedict. All the girls born into the family live in the mansion and are left with trust funds. In short, the Benedict progeny did not want for money, but having money makes them vulnerable to fortune hunters.
The story centers around the relationship between the four sisters and the budding romance between Calder and Adam.
The Benedict sisters form a bond that is both sacred and nurtured. They enjoy being together and they support each other through the ups and downs of their mother’s many marriages with their sponger fathers and other men she currently fancies. Being a Benedict makes the sisters question the faith they place in people outside their bond. So, when Calder is attracted to Adam – a polar opposite - she wonders if she can set aside her doubts enough to make any kind of a relationship work.
What I enjoyed about this story was the contrast between the characters and between the subplots. Here are three examples. Calder grew up comfortably with siblings and a self-centered mother. Conversely, Adam is an only child raised by a strong-willed, widowed mother hellbent in keeping her son away from the hoodlums in their part of town.
Adam liberates Calder from a creepy date and questions her taste in men. Calder helps Adam rescue an ex in trouble and suggests he reconsider his thoughts about women. The chemistry is there, but Calder has trust issues, and Adam isn’t looking for love. Each time they bump into each other, their repartee continues and the attraction gets stronger.
There’s a relentless pursuer coming between the five women, hoping one will bear him the coveted male. And an ex is coming between Adam and Calder hoping to split them.
The author treats a few phrases as complete sentences, which might not be proper grammar, but it does emphasize a key point and adds suspense to the story. This is infinitely better than reading long drawn out sentences. Example: “You think money makes you invincible. Above the law.”
What I didn’t like was Ms. Williams’s choice to end this story by leading directly to the next book in her series. I would have wanted for her to market it as a box set.
I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. Just because I’m not a fan of cliffhangers, I still think the book is creative and well-written. I recommend it to anyone wanting to escape into pages with witty dialogue, clever twists, strong characters, surprises in every chapter, and a contemporary romance with just a bit of steam.
******
One Way or Another
View: on Bookshelves
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4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
Picture the scales of justice where two items are measured against each other. The aim is for both sides to balance, but sometimes one outweighs the other. Here’s how One Way or Another weighs in. At times the banter between the sisters outweighs the chemistry between Calder and Adam. Sometimes the steam of their coupling makes the reader forget about the ploys happening around them. Put the comedy and suspense together, and this author offers a romance with just the right balance to make it entertaining.
Can there be enough trust between two people from different ends of the spectrum to satisfy a relationship? Mary J. Williams has published over 26 books that says it can.
The backstory: Patriarch Orville Benedict bequeathed his historical Manhattan mansion to his son (Thomas) with the conditions he expands the estate and passes it to a male heir. Thomas’s only child is a daughter (Wilhelmina) who blessed him with four granddaughters (Andi, Bryce, Calder, and Destry). Despite the granddaughters sired by four different fathers, “Billie” makes sure they carried the last name of Benedict. All the girls born into the family live in the mansion and are left with trust funds. In short, the Benedict progeny did not want for money, but having money makes them vulnerable to fortune hunters.
The story centers around the relationship between the four sisters and the budding romance between Calder and Adam.
The Benedict sisters form a bond that is both sacred and nurtured. They enjoy being together and they support each other through the ups and downs of their mother’s many marriages with their sponger fathers and other men she currently fancies. Being a Benedict makes the sisters question the faith they place in people outside their bond. So, when Calder is attracted to Adam – a polar opposite - she wonders if she can set aside her doubts enough to make any kind of a relationship work.
What I enjoyed about this story was the contrast between the characters and between the subplots. Here are three examples. Calder grew up comfortably with siblings and a self-centered mother. Conversely, Adam is an only child raised by a strong-willed, widowed mother hellbent in keeping her son away from the hoodlums in their part of town.
Adam liberates Calder from a creepy date and questions her taste in men. Calder helps Adam rescue an ex in trouble and suggests he reconsider his thoughts about women. The chemistry is there, but Calder has trust issues, and Adam isn’t looking for love. Each time they bump into each other, their repartee continues and the attraction gets stronger.
There’s a relentless pursuer coming between the five women, hoping one will bear him the coveted male. And an ex is coming between Adam and Calder hoping to split them.
The author treats a few phrases as complete sentences, which might not be proper grammar, but it does emphasize a key point and adds suspense to the story. This is infinitely better than reading long drawn out sentences. Example: “You think money makes you invincible. Above the law.”
What I didn’t like was Ms. Williams’s choice to end this story by leading directly to the next book in her series. I would have wanted for her to market it as a box set.
I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. Just because I’m not a fan of cliffhangers, I still think the book is creative and well-written. I recommend it to anyone wanting to escape into pages with witty dialogue, clever twists, strong characters, surprises in every chapter, and a contemporary romance with just a bit of steam.
******
One Way or Another
View: on Bookshelves
Like Phoenix-wrising's review? Post a comment saying so!