kaylacelrod's review
the library tried to get me to read this one and it was some of the worst writing i've ever suffered through
theshaggyshepherd's review
3.0
Lean on Me // written by Pat Simmons
I'm going to be honest: the cover of this book had a lot to do with me requesting this title. It just gives me such a heartwarming feeling and as an avid fantasy reader, I enjoy squeezing in a quick romance read here and there. I enjoyed the setup of this book and the theme. It spoke of some of the difficulties of being a caretaker for a loved one while still having the rest of your life go on despite these difficulties, which made for an emotional and engaging backdrop for a love story. While it didn't go as in depth as it could've and stayed rather surface level with both the difficulties as well as the emotions related to the love and struggles, I still found it to be a fun and relaxing read that gave my brain a much needed break. If you just want to sit back and enjoy a quick love story without too much depth to get distracted with, then this is the right book for you,
Thank you to the author and publisher for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.
I'm going to be honest: the cover of this book had a lot to do with me requesting this title. It just gives me such a heartwarming feeling and as an avid fantasy reader, I enjoy squeezing in a quick romance read here and there. I enjoyed the setup of this book and the theme. It spoke of some of the difficulties of being a caretaker for a loved one while still having the rest of your life go on despite these difficulties, which made for an emotional and engaging backdrop for a love story. While it didn't go as in depth as it could've and stayed rather surface level with both the difficulties as well as the emotions related to the love and struggles, I still found it to be a fun and relaxing read that gave my brain a much needed break. If you just want to sit back and enjoy a quick love story without too much depth to get distracted with, then this is the right book for you,
Thank you to the author and publisher for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.
kriste's review
4.0
Interesting to read about a pharmaceutical rep's job, and about caring for a beloved aunt w/ dementia.
msqueenieclem's review
5.0
Lean On Me (Family is Forever) Pat Simmons
Tabitha Knicely is overwhelming from taking care of her Aunt Tweet. Aunt Tweet has dementia and is getting worse. Tabitha's sisters and her made a pact to take turns caring for their great aunt. Tabitha is the second sister to get her aunt. The sisters refused to put their aunt in a nursing facility. Tabitha had to literally give up her life to care for her great aunt
Marcus Whittington is a neighbor that has accused Tabitha of elderly neglect. He threatened to call the police on her which adds to her frustrations. In the end, Marcus sees how Tabitha and Aunt Tweet relate up close and now understands those frustrations.
This book gave me a romantic flair that I enjoyed it. I loved the book cover. It is so beautiful. The title was on point because Tabitha needed Marcus to lean on. Family is forever and the characters in the story prove that point. The characters were relatable, funny, honest, and caring except for Geneva and Renee. The empowering love story has its twists and turns that you didn't really know what's coming. The dialogue was on point. The story line went smoothly and I could relate a lot. I like how the author, Pat Simmons, did her research on dementia and the different drugs and side effects Tabitha was trying to sell to doctors offices.
I really enjoyed the story. I cried, got mad, laughed, and got excited. I was on an emotional roller coaster throughout the story. Thanks for the wonderful ride.
Tabitha Knicely is overwhelming from taking care of her Aunt Tweet. Aunt Tweet has dementia and is getting worse. Tabitha's sisters and her made a pact to take turns caring for their great aunt. Tabitha is the second sister to get her aunt. The sisters refused to put their aunt in a nursing facility. Tabitha had to literally give up her life to care for her great aunt
Marcus Whittington is a neighbor that has accused Tabitha of elderly neglect. He threatened to call the police on her which adds to her frustrations. In the end, Marcus sees how Tabitha and Aunt Tweet relate up close and now understands those frustrations.
This book gave me a romantic flair that I enjoyed it. I loved the book cover. It is so beautiful. The title was on point because Tabitha needed Marcus to lean on. Family is forever and the characters in the story prove that point. The characters were relatable, funny, honest, and caring except for Geneva and Renee. The empowering love story has its twists and turns that you didn't really know what's coming. The dialogue was on point. The story line went smoothly and I could relate a lot. I like how the author, Pat Simmons, did her research on dementia and the different drugs and side effects Tabitha was trying to sell to doctors offices.
I really enjoyed the story. I cried, got mad, laughed, and got excited. I was on an emotional roller coaster throughout the story. Thanks for the wonderful ride.
shannanh's review
5.0
Being a caregiver to someone with any form of Dementia is no easy task. Same holds true for Tabitha Knicely. Tabitha, along with her sisters have the daunting task of taking care of Aunt Tweet, last living elderly relative, who was just diagnosed with Alzheimer's. While trying to juggle that balancing act , she meets neighbor Marcus, who at the beginning, unknowingly attempts to turn her world upside down, but comes to realize the struggles Tabitha is dealing with.
In True Pat Simmons form, we're given real life truths that will cause you to stop and reflect, as well as show you how God truly loves us and speaks to us, as long as we're willing to listen. Such an amazing job, and I can't wait for the next book in the series.
I received a copy of this book Via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
In True Pat Simmons form, we're given real life truths that will cause you to stop and reflect, as well as show you how God truly loves us and speaks to us, as long as we're willing to listen. Such an amazing job, and I can't wait for the next book in the series.
I received a copy of this book Via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
tjenner514's review
3.0
It was a cute story, and gave me a lot to think about it terms of what the struggles of being a caregiver to someone with dementia might be like. But I was looking for a bit more passion in the romance instead of the innocent courtship this book portrayed. And there was a lot of god, church, and bible references for melt taste.
bethreadsandnaps's review
2.0
Oof.
This was recommended by Overdrive. I was trying to round out my month of reading Black authors only, and this looked like it was a romance. I don’t read a lot of romance but thought “hey, a romance written by a black author, let’s try.”
What about this turned me off, you might ask?
1. It read like a Sweet Valley High book. You get descriptions of what everyone is wearing, how they need a man, and other stereotypical oddities.
2. There was one ebook page of Black issues, when the older Black woman is talking about winning a beauty pageant when she was young. She said a few sentences about living in the south being bad during Jim Crow. All the characters were Black! And you didn’t know it! Just that one page and that’s it.
3. This book is Christian. Waaaay more Christian talk than talk about Black issues. It rubs me a little wrong, especially since I didn’t go in thinking that it would be. A warning would have been nice. But what was so freaking bizarre is that they say they love each other before the first date, before they have even kissed. On their first date, they are talking about the good night kiss, and the man says he won’t kiss her until she gets over her argument with her sisters. Instead of kissing, they will pray instead. She can get her kiss after things are good between her and her sisters.
This was recommended by Overdrive. I was trying to round out my month of reading Black authors only, and this looked like it was a romance. I don’t read a lot of romance but thought “hey, a romance written by a black author, let’s try.”
What about this turned me off, you might ask?
1. It read like a Sweet Valley High book. You get descriptions of what everyone is wearing, how they need a man, and other stereotypical oddities.
2. There was one ebook page of Black issues, when the older Black woman is talking about winning a beauty pageant when she was young. She said a few sentences about living in the south being bad during Jim Crow. All the characters were Black! And you didn’t know it! Just that one page and that’s it.
3. This book is Christian. Waaaay more Christian talk than talk about Black issues. It rubs me a little wrong, especially since I didn’t go in thinking that it would be. A warning would have been nice. But what was so freaking bizarre is that they say they love each other before the first date, before they have even kissed. On their first date, they are talking about the good night kiss, and the man says he won’t kiss her until she gets over her argument with her sisters. Instead of kissing, they will pray instead. She can get her kiss after things are good between her and her sisters.
shammons's review
4.0
I was on my library's Overdrive/Libby site, looking for a book, when I noticed that the nationwide reading program was ongoing. This used to be called the Big Library Read or something like that, but now is referred to as "Together We Read". It's a free download and you can read along with other digital readers across the US. I had always wanted to participate, but never read a book blurb that really interested me. This one did, and even though I was fairly into the reading period (Feb 19-Mar 4), I took a leap of faith and downloaded this book to my Kindle. Not only is the author new to me, but I was so pleasantly surprised that this sweet book contained a lot of elements of faith. Going to church, leading to a spiritual walk with the Lord for the hero and heroine, Scripture being cited, all contributed to the story. Tabitha is one of three sisters (this is the first of 3 in a series) who becomes a care giver for 6 months for her great-aunt Tweet. She and her sisters have lost their parents but have always been close to this aunt who never married and had children. Sadly, Aunt Tweet is suffering from Alzheimers and dementia, and Tabitha had no idea what being a caregiver entailed, in spite of being a pharmaceutical rep. She changes jobs, changes her life and takes in her aunt and assumes care for her, along with taking her to an adult type day care so she can work. Early on, Aunt Tweet wanders from their house onto a neighbors porch. Marcus is not amused to find the elderly lady in a big floppy red hat, constantly appearing on his porch. The story goes from there and has a lot of faith, as well as other redeeming factors. I thoroughly and surprisingly really enjoyed this one! So glad that the "Together We Read" would contain such an uplifting book with faith-based elements, such a joy to find :)
robinlovesreading's review
4.0
I really love two things when I read: Finding a new author, and being able to start the first book in a new series. That was exactly the case with Lean on Me. Discovering the author, Pat Simmons, through the pages of this book was quite rewarding.
Tabitha Knicely and Marcus Whittington cross paths. She is a busy pharmaceutical rep who is now caring for her aunt who is suffering from Alzheimers. Marcus has his own business and he hires men who need a second chance, and that includes ex-cons. The way they meet is that someone keeps landing on Marcus's doorstep. The woman happens to be Tabitha's Aunt Tweet and it doesn't take long before Tabitha and Marcus meet.
So we have three principal characters in this book, Tabitha, Marcus and the wonderful Aunt Tweet. Marcus sees a real need when it comes to Tabitha and her aunt, although at first he was concerned that Tabitha was shirking her responsibilities in her role as a caregiver.
I so loved this book. It was touching in both an emotional and spiritual way. Marcus and Tabitha start off as friends, but their growth has a solid background when it comes to faith. This was not the turn I expected when reading this book, but I was floored by how much this book touched my soul. This is the first book in the Family is Forever series, and I will definitely be looking out for the next book, Here for You, which is scheduled to release in September.
Meanwhile, as time permits, I will be perusing Ms. Simmons backlist for more inspiring reads. I rarely get the opportunity read AA characters, and with the addition of faith, her novels are definitely for me.
Many thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Tabitha Knicely and Marcus Whittington cross paths. She is a busy pharmaceutical rep who is now caring for her aunt who is suffering from Alzheimers. Marcus has his own business and he hires men who need a second chance, and that includes ex-cons. The way they meet is that someone keeps landing on Marcus's doorstep. The woman happens to be Tabitha's Aunt Tweet and it doesn't take long before Tabitha and Marcus meet.
So we have three principal characters in this book, Tabitha, Marcus and the wonderful Aunt Tweet. Marcus sees a real need when it comes to Tabitha and her aunt, although at first he was concerned that Tabitha was shirking her responsibilities in her role as a caregiver.
I so loved this book. It was touching in both an emotional and spiritual way. Marcus and Tabitha start off as friends, but their growth has a solid background when it comes to faith. This was not the turn I expected when reading this book, but I was floored by how much this book touched my soul. This is the first book in the Family is Forever series, and I will definitely be looking out for the next book, Here for You, which is scheduled to release in September.
Meanwhile, as time permits, I will be perusing Ms. Simmons backlist for more inspiring reads. I rarely get the opportunity read AA characters, and with the addition of faith, her novels are definitely for me.
Many thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
jesforeverlostinbooks's review
2.0
Can’t remember how this book came up on my radar but it’s was a quick Christian read. Can’t really put my finger on why I didn’t care for it but basically it was just ok. The story was about Tabitha who is a caregiver for her aunt who has Alzheimers & of course falls in love with a way too perfect man. I just didn’t connect with the characters they didn’t seem real and waaayyy too cheesy plus there was way too much technical info on Alzheimers.