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The First Warm Evening of the Year

April 21, 2012 by Jennifer

I enjoy a romance every now and then, but there are things that are common to this genre that make them a less than ideal read for me. The First Warm Evening of the Year is a romance, yet one with a more literary feel, without explicit details that I don’t wish to read, and with a more character driven approach to telling the story (which I like, but if you like a plot-driven story, this type of book will frustrate you).

Geoffrey is pulled away from his NYC bachelor’s life as a voice-over actor when an old college friend dies. He hasn’t seen or talked to Laura since she moved to Paris after college — 20 years ago — and yet, she’s left word that she’d like him to act as executor of his estate.

When he goes out to the small town of Shady Grove, New York, he begins to think about his and Laura’s friendship, and what she meant to him, and why they lost touch. Laura’s good friend Marion is waiting there to meet him, and from the moment Geoffrey sees her, he can’t stop thinking about her. But he’s involved; she’s involved; and to be honest, neither of them are really looking for a soulmate.

The theme of unrequieted love is a fairly common one, yet Jamie Saul tells the story in such a perfect way that as a reader, I was pulled through the story in suspense. At first, I was convinced that they’d get together — of course they would — and then I wasn’t so sure that I’d get that happy ending (and what I firmly believed would be best for Marion and Geoffrey), and then I’d flip back to the other side of things, unsure if they’d be together, but certain that they’d probably be okay either way.

Of course I’m not going to tell you how it turns out, but I will say that if you enjoy character-driven novels, I can recommend this one highly.

The publisher has offered up a copy, so leave a comment if you’d like to win (U.S. addresses only). We’ll announce the winner in our giveaway column on May 2.
The giveaway is closed.

Don’t miss a thing: Check out our current giveaways. Subscribe to our feed or video reviews on YouTube. Follow us @5M4B on Twitter or on Facebook.

Jennifer blogs at Snapshot when she’s not getting lost in a book.

Filed Under: Fiction, Jennifer

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Comments

  1. Bethany says

    April 21, 2012 at 1:44 am

    I’d love a copy! This is a new author to me 🙂

    [email protected]

  2. Liz says

    April 21, 2012 at 9:02 am

    The Romance genre is, I find, something to be taken in small doses, but The First Warm Evening of the Year sounds interesting.

  3. Kayo says

    April 21, 2012 at 9:39 am

    I’d love to sit back with a glass of iced tea and this book!
    Thanks for the chance.

  4. Angela E. says

    April 21, 2012 at 11:41 am

    Sounds like there might be trouble brewing in this romance novel, being their both already in relationship’s.

  5. Ellie says

    April 21, 2012 at 12:00 pm

    This novel sounds captivating. Thanks.

  6. Anne says

    April 21, 2012 at 12:05 pm

    An enjoyable book which interests me greatly.

  7. Sandra K321 says

    April 21, 2012 at 12:21 pm

    Sounds like we have the same opinion of most romance stories. I think I would enjoy this one.

  8. Cindi says

    April 21, 2012 at 3:12 pm

    I am just reconnecting with a man that hasn’t
    been in my life for 30 years!
    This books sounds like a nice, delightful
    one to read…
    Many thanks, Cindi

  9. Amy says

    April 21, 2012 at 3:44 pm

    Sounds like a good read for summer.

  10. Lori says

    April 21, 2012 at 5:03 pm

    This one sounds really spicy.

  11. Staci A says

    April 21, 2012 at 5:40 pm

    I love books that keep you guessing about how things will end up.

  12. Jean Lewis says

    April 21, 2012 at 6:29 pm

    This one sounds really good. Not just your usual romance, but something literary for summer. Count me in.

  13. Beth C says

    April 21, 2012 at 6:39 pm

    I want to read this to find out if they end up together!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

  14. Barb: 1SentenceDiary says

    April 22, 2012 at 7:50 am

    Character-driven storyline? Yes, please!

  15. MeMetu says

    April 22, 2012 at 3:22 pm

    Oooo everything about it seems steamy. I want one.

    • Jennifer says

      May 1, 2012 at 9:36 pm

      You won this book! Please respond to this comment via email with your address.

  16. samanthaw says

    April 22, 2012 at 4:16 pm

    not one for romances, but this one sounds good

  17. Natalia says

    April 22, 2012 at 7:58 pm

    I’d like to win this book.

  18. kenyanjobs says

    April 23, 2012 at 1:23 am

    Getting the novel will make my day and if there is any way to get it am ready…

  19. Chuck says

    April 23, 2012 at 10:32 am

    My wife would like this one.

  20. Chris says

    April 23, 2012 at 1:39 pm

    My mom and I love a good character-driven story (and she wants to read this one first). = )

  21. Jeff says

    April 23, 2012 at 2:38 pm

    A romance novel is what my wife would like to read.

  22. Stephanie says

    April 24, 2012 at 12:37 am

    I’m a fan of any romance novel 🙂

  23. Garrett says

    April 24, 2012 at 8:19 am

    Another one for my girlfriend to read.

  24. Van says

    April 24, 2012 at 4:45 pm

    I’ll pass this one on to my girlfriend too.

  25. Linda Kish says

    April 25, 2012 at 1:11 am

    I would love to read this book.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

  26. June says

    April 25, 2012 at 9:24 am

    Sounds like a winner to me.

  27. Don says

    April 25, 2012 at 10:31 pm

    Wife say’s she want’s to read this one.

  28. Dianne says

    April 26, 2012 at 8:28 pm

    Sounds good. Thanks for the giveaway

  29. Anita Yancey says

    April 26, 2012 at 9:07 pm

    Sounds like an interesting romance. I would love to read it. Please enter me. Thanks!

  30. karenk says

    April 29, 2012 at 5:45 am

    thanks for the chance to read this beautiful story 😉

  31. bobby says

    April 29, 2012 at 10:52 am

    my wife would like to read this

  32. Angela Calvert says

    April 29, 2012 at 6:16 pm

    Would love to win! Thanks for the giveaway!

    accoupons at gmail dot com

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