For Sale by Owner Author: Marlene Bateman
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Format: eBook, Print
Pages: 260
Date: October 3, 2016
Publisher: Covenant
Stressed by a year of intense, ongoing problems, McKenzie Forsberg decides to quit her high-powered job and move back to her hometown. Determined to rebuild her life, Kenzie desperately needs the peace and security she is sure will come from buying the home she grew up in. But when she arrives in town, Kenzie discovers that a handsome widower, Jared Rawlins, has already put an offer on the house. However, he can only close the deal if he sells his own house by Christmas Eve.
When Kenzie unexpectedly runs into a couple who are considering buying Jared’s house, she unthinkingly gives them information that changes their mind. Jared, who had been more than a little interested in Kenzie, has second thoughts when he begins to believe Kenzie deliberately tried to sabotage the sale of his home.
Despite his misgivings, and Kenzie’s own concerns, sparks of attraction between Jared and Kenzie grow into something more. Then, Kenzie makes a stunning discovery about her past. In that moment, everything changes. Will the power of love be enough to bring Jared and Kenzie together and allow them to find their happily ever after?
[bctt tweet=”Sparks fly as McKenzie & Jared battle for the house of their dreams FOR SALE BY OWNER #romance Marlene Bateman”]
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About Marlene Bateman
Marlene Bateman was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. She graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor’s degree in English. She is married to Kelly R. Sullivan and they live in North Salt Lake, Utah with their two dogs and four cats. Marlene wrote the best-selling romance/suspense novel, Light on Fire Island. She has written three other mysteries; Motive for Murder, A Death in the Family, and Crooked House.
It seems like I’ve read a few books with a pretty similar premise lately- two people that are attracted to each other but fighting over the same house. I enjoyed the pleasant atmosphere of Kenzie’s hometown and the congeniality between the Jared and her, even when they are supposedly at odds. Much of the narration and dialogue is telling about mundane details of daily life that don’t seem to add to the story, but it progresses along at a steady pace. I was more interested in the subplot of Kenzie’s falling out with her father, a well-meaning but gruff man who said regrettable things a few years ago that Kenzie has a hard time forgiving. The point of view switches between Jared and Kenzie, and a few scenes are shown from Kenzie’s mother’s perspective as well as Jared’s son and Kenzie’s daughter. I had a hard time really connecting with Kenzie’s character since she seems a bit selfish or self-centered at times, and her emotions are told rather than shown. I found the book to be sweet, if a bit predictable. I definitely love the cover and appreciate that it directly relates to the story.
(Thank you to Covenant Communications for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)