Houston, we have a problema by Gwendolyn Zepeda
Release date: 2009 / 374 pages
Synopsis (from back cover): When Jessica feels lost, she asks the universe for directions. Jessica Luna isn’t always sure what to do with her life, but there are plenty of people willing to tell her. Her mother says she should drop the bad boys and marry a nice man the way her sister, Sabrina, did. Her coworkers encourage her to climb the corporate ladder, while her friends tell her to ditch the day job and strike out on her own. Is it any wonder, with so much conflicting advice, Jessica would rather rely on the plastic Virgin Mary that hangs in her car and her weekly visits with her friendly neighborhood psychic, Madame Hortensia? But as Jessica’s life becomes increasingly complicated, the universe becomes increasingly unclear.”
First line: “Dreaming of snakes means someone will die.”
Review: This was the last novel I read on vacation over the holidays and it was exactly what I needed. The previous two novels, the northern clemency and A Fortunate Age, had been very similar in nature — the details of life without plot or theme. Houston was heavy on both!
I had not read a good ol’ romance in a long time and thoroughly enjoyed the light-hearted, predictable (but in a comfortable way) conflicts of Jessica’s life. The key to a novel of this type “succeeding” is liking the main character — and I did. She is twenty-six and trying to grow into herself — should she marry the secure, financially-stable “good guy” or continue to enjoy the tempestuous, artistic “bad guy”? Should she stay in her unfulfilling, but lucrative job or launch out on her own as a web designer?
I enjoyed watching Jessica make these decisions and found her to be an excellent beach companion! So, if you are in the mood for a wonderful bit of fluff, simply leave me a comment and I’ll draw a winner as soon as I return from my latest adventures in Ethiopia!
I wasn’t sure if this book interested me, but after reading your review, I’d love to win it!
Hi,
I just read an arc of “A Fortunate Age” and although I finished it I have to admit it was a difficult read. “Houston…” sounds like a good follow-up. Besides I love romance books.
Here’s hoping I’m lucky.
I think this is just the perfect book to get my mom through her convalescence from her recent fall and broken pelvis (darn MI ice and snow). And then of course I get to borrow it next!
Thanks
Sandi
How can I resist? My name is Gwendolyn, too! And, the book sounds like a lot of fun. Thanks for the chance!
geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com
Sounds like a fun read! Please enter me in the contest. Thanks.
Congratulations, Sharon!! You’re a winner!!