Happy Halloween, all!

I have a completely non-spooky post in store for you today. It starts with a review of a new book release and ends with a giveaway!

Intrigued? Read on.

Waking Up to Love

by Katie O’Boyle

About the book

Kyle Pennington broke Lyssa’s heart when he let her go, rather than interfere with her budding career. An ocean away now, Lyssa has fallen under the spell of golden-tongued Rand Cunningham who’s in a hurry to marry her. But Kyle is miserable without her and is willing to risk everything to get her back. Will Lyssa wake up in time to ask who she really loves?

Waking Up to Love is on sale now at Amazon.

My Review

Waking Up to Love, the fourth book in the Lakeside Porches series begins as Lyssa, the heroine, is faced with a tough decision. She’s been offered the chance to interview for her dream job at Tompkins Falls University – except it means she must leave England, where she’s lived and worked for the past year. At the same time, she’s trying to determine whether her feelings for Kyle, the hero, are reciprocated to the level where he’s looking for forever. So far, he hasn’t shown much inclination that that’s where he stands. Ultimately, they need to part ways, but when before boarding a flight to the United States, Lyssa drops a bomb on the seemingly clueless Kyle – she thinks she’s in love with him.

Upon returning to the US, where she’s reunited with her sister and brother-in-law, as well as a few other familiar faces from her past. Despite her joy at being together with family once again, Lyssa’s broken-hearted over Kyle and completely stressing about doing her very best at her new job. And she has reason to be stressed. As a recovering alcoholic and addict, Lyssa seems to struggle to keep herself on even footing, especially after she literally runs into Rand Cunningham. The fellow professor who decides on sight that Lyssa’s the only one for him. But he’s trouble from the get-go.

Eventually, Kyle comes to the US, both to win back Lyssa as well as help a mutual friend and head of the college solve a major problem with internet security and hacking, grade fixing, and the otherwise unseemly antics of several faculty members. He and Rand quickly begin to butt heads, but Lyssa is overjoyed to be reunited with Kyle – if only she knew for sure he’s the one she’s suppose to be with. Kyle has to prove to Lyssa that he’s serious and returns her love.

Waking Up to Love is a multi-faceted story that walks the fine line between romance and romantic women’s fiction. Both Lyssa and Kyle must not only figure out where they stand with each other, but must also overcome obstacles to their personal happiness. Lyssa’s desire to remain on the straight and narrow after a year of sobriety plays along with her insecurities about the relationships with friends and family alike – and no wonder, given the tumultuous path she followed as a young girl. Kyle, in turn, is the sort who likes having control over what’s happening in his life, but he has to figure out how to balance his business and desire to plan for others with the demands of family obligations and, of course, his love for Lyssa.

Katie O’Boyle has created a cast of memorable characters that engaged me. I wanted to strangle Rand much of the time, and shake both Lyssa and Kyle in turn when they were being obtuse or stubborn about their relationship. There were a few sections that referenced the stories told in books 1-3 of the Lakeside Porches series, but without the general summary of events that often accompanies the reintroduction of characters. I was able to figure out who was who and the general gist of their stories, but having not read the first three books, I admit I was a little lost at times.

Overall I enjoyed this book, but I would recommend picking up volumes 1-3 in addition, so you can get the full story behind the story, as it were.

4 out of 5 stars in my book!

*I received an ARC from the author/publisher in exchange for my honest review.*

And Now for the Giveaway!

Katie has been kind enough to partner with me for a Rafflecopter Giveaway. She is giving away two Kindle copies of Waking Up to Love. There are several ways to enter.

Check out the Rafflecopter Giveaway for details and enter for a chance to win!
//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

About Katie O’Boyle

Born in the upstate-New York village known as the Birthplace of Women’s Rights, Katie O’Boyle loves the Finger Lakes in every season. She enjoys lunch with friends at quaint inns, and she cherishes the lakeside porch as a place for intimate sharing, laughter, and inspiration. To the outside world, she’s a tech-savvy college professor. In her soul, she’s a passionate author of warm-hearted romance.

Find Katie O’Boyle online:

Facebook: katie.oboyle.author
Twitter: @TompkinsFalls
Website: http://katieoboyle.com