Book Review
Willow's Way by Sharon Struth
Book 2: A Sweet Life Series
Publisher: Kensington / Penguin Random House / Lyrical Press
Publication Date: April 17, 2018
Format: Paperback - 226 pages
Kindle - 1559 KB
Nook - 1 MB
ISBN: 978-1516103591
ASIN: B07465L9HPBNID: 978-1516103560
Genre: Women's Fiction
Buy The Book:
Buy The Series: A Sweet Life Series
Book 1: The Sweet Life
Book 2: Willow's Way
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author/publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book review tour event hosted by Goddess Fish Promotions.
Book Description:
Willow Armstrong, the once-famous “Queen of Weight Loss” and president of Pound Busters, succumbed to stress eating after her divorce. Now the scandal of getting caught on camera binging on pizza, and the internet-wide mocking of her new curves, may destroy her career. Add in a business advisor who drained her finances, and Willow is out of options—until she learns she’s inherited a house in England’s most picturesque locale, The Cotswolds.
Willow’s trip across the pond to sell the property and salvage her company soon becomes its own adventure: the house, once owned by grandparents she never met, needs major work. Plus, single dad Owen Hughes, the estate’s resident groundskeeper and owner of a local tour outfit, isn’t thrilled about the idea of leaving . . . Yet as Willow proceeds with her plans, she’s sidetracked by surprising discoveries about her family’s history--and with Owen’s help, the area’s distinctive attractions. Soon, she’s even retracing her roots—and testing her endurance—amid the region’s natural beauty. And the more she delves into the past, the more clearly she sees herself, her future, and the way home . . .
Book Excerpt:
Willow Armstrong could hardly breathe as she stared at the video playing on her laptop. Stupid. She’d been so stupid. Once again, she’d let urges rule her choices, and this time, she’d been exposed.
Willow squinted at the blurred image. Maybe that wasn’t even her. Heck, she’d seen clearer pictures of Sasquatch. “Are you sure that’s me, Becky? I mean, lots of people in Manhattan could own a black Lexus.”
Her assistant remained silent on the other end of the phone for a little too long then said, “Give it a sec. Keep your eyes on the rearview mirror.”
The camera zoomed on the inside of the car and the front mirror came into focus. Willow paused the tape and leaned on the marble kitchen counter to get a closer look. A shiny object hung off the car’s rearview mirror. Was that…?
Nooooo!
Dread wormed through her, twisting and turning like a knife in her gut. The silver folded-fork symbol associated with Willow’s weight-loss empire, Pound Busters, dangled off the mirror.
She groaned. “I can’t believe this.”
“I’m sorry. I figured you’d want to know.”
“You made the right call.”
“Now I’m not sure. Why don’t you shut it off?” Becky couldn’t hide her worried tone.
Willow’s heart warmed for her concerned assistant, who had given Willow ten dedicated years of service. Loyal right to the end. And this could be the end.
On the screen, the arrow hovered over the play button. Terrified to see what the rest of the world would, she froze, her hand stilled on the computer mouse.
Thirty minutes and four thousand “likes” ago, Celebrity Secrets had posted the video to their Facebook page. Dear God! Over seven hundred comments she didn’t dare read, and some three hundred shares, all over a slip into Tony’s Slice of Heaven. The mouth-watering goodness of the slice barreled toward her with a vengeance. Just a few moments of cheesy bliss. Was it too much to ask for?
“You there, Willow?”
“Yes.” She drew in a breath that somehow boosted her courage. “I really should watch this.”
She hit the play button. The camera moved and refocused, closing in on the shadowy figure in the driver’s seat until the picture became perfectly clear.
Willow squinted at the blurred image. Maybe that wasn’t even her. Heck, she’d seen clearer pictures of Sasquatch. “Are you sure that’s me, Becky? I mean, lots of people in Manhattan could own a black Lexus.”
Her assistant remained silent on the other end of the phone for a little too long then said, “Give it a sec. Keep your eyes on the rearview mirror.”
The camera zoomed on the inside of the car and the front mirror came into focus. Willow paused the tape and leaned on the marble kitchen counter to get a closer look. A shiny object hung off the car’s rearview mirror. Was that…?
Nooooo!
Dread wormed through her, twisting and turning like a knife in her gut. The silver folded-fork symbol associated with Willow’s weight-loss empire, Pound Busters, dangled off the mirror.
She groaned. “I can’t believe this.”
“I’m sorry. I figured you’d want to know.”
“You made the right call.”
“Now I’m not sure. Why don’t you shut it off?” Becky couldn’t hide her worried tone.
Willow’s heart warmed for her concerned assistant, who had given Willow ten dedicated years of service. Loyal right to the end. And this could be the end.
On the screen, the arrow hovered over the play button. Terrified to see what the rest of the world would, she froze, her hand stilled on the computer mouse.
Thirty minutes and four thousand “likes” ago, Celebrity Secrets had posted the video to their Facebook page. Dear God! Over seven hundred comments she didn’t dare read, and some three hundred shares, all over a slip into Tony’s Slice of Heaven. The mouth-watering goodness of the slice barreled toward her with a vengeance. Just a few moments of cheesy bliss. Was it too much to ask for?
“You there, Willow?”
“Yes.” She drew in a breath that somehow boosted her courage. “I really should watch this.”
She hit the play button. The camera moved and refocused, closing in on the shadowy figure in the driver’s seat until the picture became perfectly clear.
Book Teaser:
My Book Review:
In Willow's Way, author Sharon Struth weaves a wonderful women's fiction story about a woman's personal journey of rediscovering herself.
Willow Armstrong is a forty-year-old divorced woman and founder/CEO of Pound Busters, a successful weight loss company. Willow has always struggled with insecurity and has been self-conscious about her weight since childhood. She had lived in the shadow of a mother who had been a model, and a step-father who ridiculed her. Twenty years ago, at the end of college, Willow started Pound Busters, and became known as "The Queen of Weight Loss." But two years ago after a very embarrassing and publicly humiliating divorce from her ex-husband, Richard Carter, Lieutenant Governor of New York, Willow had a significant weight gain which led to public fat-shaming and an unsure future with the Board of Directors of Pound Busters.
Desperate to figure out how to change her life around, Willow discovers that she has inherited property in Bitton, England, which had originally been bequeathed to her mother who had passed away in a car accident. Willow travels to England to check out the property and is surprised to uncover long-held family secrets. Along the way, Willow gets a second chance of rediscovering herself with the help of Owen Hughes, a single father and estate groundskeeper and owner of a tour company.
Willow's Way is a delightful story that transports the reader across the pond to the picturesque English Cotswolds countryside. You can't help but empathize with Willow as her trip to England leads her on a personal journey to find her way after going through some very traumatic and painful situations in her life. With the help of Owen Hughes, Willow learns about her family's past history and gets a second chance to learn how to love herself as she is. You can't help but cheer Willow on as her adventure in England gives her a chance to move forward with her life, and a little bit of romance added to the mix!
With an enjoyable cast of characters, a richly vivid English countryside setting, and a realistic story of struggle and rediscovery, Willow's Way is a heartwarming women's fiction tale that will keep the reader engaged from beginning to end!
Willow's Way is the second book in the Sweet Life Series but is a standalone read.
RATING: 5 Stars
About The Author
Sharon Struth believes you’re never too old to pursue a dream. The Hourglass, her debut novel, was a finalist in the National Readers’ Choice Awards for Best First Book. She is the author of the popular Blue Moon Lake Novels, which include Share the Moon.
When she’s not working, she and her husband happily sip their way through the scenic towns of the Connecticut Wine Trail, travel the world, and enjoy spending time with their precious pets and two grown daughters. She writes from the friendliest place she’s ever lived, Bethel, Connecticut.
For more information, including where to find her published essays, please visit sharonstruth.com or visit her blog, Musings from the Middle Ages & More at www.sharonstruth.wordpress.com.
Author Website
Amazon Author Page
Google+
Goodreads
Contest Giveaway
Win A $10 Amazon or Barnes & Noble Gift Card
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Virtual Book Review Tour
Tour Participants:
April 26: My Reading Journeys
April 26: Andi's Book Reviews
May 3: Kimmi Love
May 3: Jersey Girl Book Reviews
May 10: Locks, Hooks and Books
May 10: Bookaholic
Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the opportunity to read, review and feature Willow's Way on my blog. :)
DeleteThanks for hosting and reviewing Willow's Way! <3
ReplyDeleteHi Sharon! Thank you for the opportunity to host Willow's Way on my blog. I have put The Sweet Life on my TBR list. :)
DeleteI enjoyed getting to know your book; congrats on the tour, I hope it is a fun one for you, and thanks for the chance to win :)
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa! Thank you for stopping at my blog and visiting with Sharon, I appreciate it. :)
DeleteThanks you, Lisa! <3
DeleteI liked the excerpt, thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rita!
DeleteWhat was your favorite book growing up? Thanks for hosting the giveaway. Bernie Wallace BWallace1980(at)hotmail(d0t)com
ReplyDeleteHi Joseph. Mine was any Nancy Drew book I could get my hands on. Sounds like I should've been a mystery writer LOL
DeleteGreat review!
ReplyDeleteHi Victoria! Thank you for stopping by my blog and leaving your kind comment, I really appreciate it. :)
DeleteCongrats on the tour and I appreciate the book description and the great giveaway as well. Love the tours, I get to find books and share with my sisters and now my twin daughters who all love to read. We have found some amazing books for everyone. So, thank you!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the tour! I enjoy reading the excerpt! thank you!
ReplyDelete