Checking You Out
(Green Valley Library, #10)
by Ann Whynot

Amazon / B&N / BB

Lois Washington is at the end of her rope. Struggling as a single mother in an apartment the size of a closet is not the New York City adventure she dreamed of in her starry-eyed youth. When her job goes on the chopping block, she is ready for a major life change. Joining her best friend in Tennessee to become the newest employee at the Green Valley Public Library isn’t exactly where she thought life would take her, but she feels up for the challenge. Only this relocation comes with more than she bargained for.

Norman Grant has had a string of online dating disasters back in Florida. Dealing with chronic pain, he’s concluded that finding a woman who is understanding about his war wounds just isn’t in the cards. That is, until he becomes quite taken with the single mother who’s also a new arrival in Green Valley. The catch? Things are not quite what they seem.

When the past and present collide, Norman and Lois must face painful reminders from their youth. Now, at twenty-seven, Norman’s about to find out just how deeply the wounds he left behind cut.

‘Checking You Out’ is a full-length contemporary romance and can be read as a standalone. Book #10 in the Green Valley Library series, Green Valley Chronicles, Penny Reid Book Universe

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

I had to stop the train my thoughts were on right the hell now or I would be going places I couldn’t handle, especially at this moment. I had this tendency to do what, according to Dr. Google— the only doctor I could afford for myself, most of the time— was called indulging in apocalyptic thinking. Once I got started, I could be thinking about a glass half empty and end up picturing the glass exploding, sending shards flying everywhere and blinding a pack of nuns.

Lois and Max shared a look, like they were communicating telepathically as I’ve often thought female best friends could do through some kind of sorcery…

My Review:

This was a fun and lively second chance romance/small-town/southern read that covered a lot of ground with common and uncommon issues, disabilities, and foibles that make navigating our world a bit trickier for some. Their challenges were well-integrated and smoothly featured with thoughtful insights as well as clever and amusing humor within comfortable and easy-to-follow storylines. The characters were easily accessible, endearing, admirable, and the type of well-intentioned and hard-working people I’d like to know and have in my life. The writing style and story threads scrolled smoothly through my gray matter and were well-paced, engaging, and entertaining. I am enjoying this series as well as this author’s work and am eager to pick up the next offering.