Review – Finding Felicity by Monica Marlowe

Publisher: Eternal Press
Publish Date: Out Now
How I got this book: From the Author

“Madeline O’Connor was happy. Or was she? When she learns that her estranged sister is gravely ill, she leaves behind her life in Manhattan to be at her sister’s side in Italy. There, she discovers an ancient Benedictine monastery that accommodates travelers, and she decides to stay there, among the monks. Everything in her life turns upside down when she falls for Brother Anthony Lamberti, a soft-spoken Italian completely different from the men she knows in New York. Together Madeline and Anthony find love for the first time, and learn that life and love always find a way. Loving Anthony creates a new life for Madeline. A new life she would never have imagined and yet is perfect for her in every way.” I got this blurb from the author’s website here.

As a born and bred book addict I have learned that not every book works for every reader and this is actually a good thing because it ensures that a variety of different styles, subjects and methods of telling stories are available. I have to admit that I really enjoy finding a new to me author, liking their work and being able to introduce others to that same author. In order to do that I have to take chances and try out those new to me authors sometimes based on a recommendation I have received, sometimes based on the cover and blurb, sometimes based on the blurb, and sometimes just because.

Unfortunately I am not able to recommend FINDING FELICITY because the book didn’t work for me to the extent that I was unable to finish it. I completely understand that when you accept an ARC it is not the final finished product. There will probably be some errors or things that will be slightly different then the official release product. Those are not an issue. However, if you are an author sending out a book for review please ensure that you take the time and effort to see that it is properly formatted. You want your readers to stay immersed in the world you have built and having the flow interrupted by page numbers, titles, author’s name in very random places does not help. When I was able to get into the flow I was unable to relate to the heroine at any level except for the fact that I am also a woman.

She, Madeline, physically described almost everyone she encountered as handsome and included racial characteristics. Now please don’t take that to mean that the descriptions were in any way derogatory but how does that further your plot other then to say to me that your heroine is extremely shallow? Even in the land of Hollywood TV not everyone is handsome or pretty. I also noticed some inconsistencies for example Madeline is thinking about eating at her favorite place in Italy and at how she is looking forward to their gelato. I, therefore, expect at least some mention of gelato while she is at the restaurant. There wasn’t even a token mention of any dessert let along gelato. The final straw for me was when Madeline ends up stumbling as she is trying to leave her table and lands in the lap of a very handsome Italian man. As she is attempting to keep from falling she ends up knocking over a glass of red wine which spills all over his meal partner (a young woman’s) clothes. Madeline, head of a worldwide chain of high fashion boutiques, spent much more time and thought apologizing to the man whose lap she ended in than to the young woman whose clothes would require immediate treatment if they could be saved. At this point, ten percent into the book, I decided that I had a laundry list of things that I found to be issues in this book and nothing positive so I decided it was time to call it quits.

While the author’s voice and storyline in FINDING FELICITY did not work for me I did not notice any grammer, spelling or incorrect word choice issues so hopefully others will find that they enjoy the voice and storyline.

I give FINDING FELICITY a DNF

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