So Close by Emma McLaughlinNicola Kraus
Published by SparkPress (a BookSparks Imprint) on June 7th 2016
Genres: Contemporary Women, Fiction, General, Romance
Pages: 288
Format: Paperback
Goodreads
From international #1 best-selling authors Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus comes a story about a girl from the trailer parks of central Florida and the two powerful men who shape her life–one of whom will raise her up to places she never imagined, the other of whom will threaten to destroy her. Amanda Beth Luker has spent her whole life desperately looking for someone who can show her the way out of her trailer park Florida town. And then, finally, help arrives–in the form of Tom Davis, a successful lawyer with political aspirations who grew up just a few towns over from Amanda. But it’s his wife, Lindsay, who really captures Amanda’s imagination. Strong, smart, and determined, she gives Amanda something she’s never had–a role model. Meanwhile Amanda is introduced to the wealthy, charismatic, and deeply troubled Pax Westerbrook. He clearly desires Amanda, but if she gives in will that move her closer to the life she’s always dreamed of–or make it impossible? Amanda rides Davis’s political success all the way to Washington, where he becomes Senator and will later be tapped for president and even make a bid for the White House. But when Amanda starts to suspect, and later confirms, his moral indiscretions, her loyalty is tested. Will a girl from a trailer park even be believed if she goes public with damning information? Will she be willing to risk losing everything she’s gained?
I have to say hands down, Booksparks is definitely rocking this year’s Summer Reading Challenge, and I’m just amazed how great each book has been. Today’s post is about So Close by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus.
The protagonist in So Close is Amanda Luker who grew up in a trailer park in small town Florida. She always knew she wanted more, and especially wished she had a father. She also hoped for more than she had growing up, but she especially wished her mom would take care of her younger brother so she get out of the trailer park without feeling guilty.
Amanda’s busy working at a local hotel until she lands a job for politician and local candidate, Tom Davis. Tom’s wife, Lindsey, is a great character in this book whose storyline really keeps readers attached. The two women develop an awesome relationship that keeps the plot going, both because of their friendship and the story. Lindsey is the role model Amanda has always needed in her life to guide her and teach her about integrity, dignity and strength. I was very pleased with the emotional connection authors, Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus cause readers to develop with Amanda and her relationship with Lindsey.
This is one of those books you’ll throw in your beach bag, but when you get home from the beach you’ll be staying up all night just to finish the last page – in other words, if you are anything like me, you’ll read this book in one day even though it’s almost 300 pages long.
Newsweek declared McLaughlin and Kraus’s The Nanny Diaries a ‘phenomenon.’ It is a #1 New York Times best-seller and the longest-running hardcover best seller of 2002. In 2007 it was released as a major motion picture starring Scarlett Johansson, Laura Linney and Alicia Keys. They are also the authors of three other New York Times bestsellers, Citizen Girl, Dedication and Nanny Returns. And the soon to be released Between You & Me, and Over You.
They have appeared numerous times on CNN, MSNBC, The Today Show, Good Morning America, Entertainment Tonight and The View. Their work and partnership have been covered in The New York Times, The Washington Post, USA Today, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, TIME, Elle, Town & Country and Harper’s Bazaar.
They have contributed to The London Times and The New York Times as well as two short story collections to benefit The War Child Fund: Big Night Out and Girls’ Night Out. In addition to writing for television and film, they travel around the country speaking to young women about gender issues in American corporate culture.
Keep checking out BookSparks’ Summer Reading Challenge 2016! There are so many more books you’ll want to put into your beach bag! This is going to be the “best summer ever.” #SRC2016 #BestSummerEver #BestSRCEver!
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