Snow Globe

This protagonist doesn't have all the grief and angst of the protagonist in Starting from Scratch, but there is enough justified grief and self-doubt at being dumped nine days before her wedding to make the protagonist's behavior understandably erratic, and to make the first person POV both unusual and entertaining. I am especially fascinated by the way the narrating character is sometimes a bit oblivious to what is actually going on around her. It makes the gradual revelations both funny and sometimes surprising. One of the most entertaining things an author can do is leave her narrating character in the dark so the reader doesn't know all in advance. Georgia Beers does this masterfully. I am reminded of Turning the Page where the protagonist doesn't even realize she is gay so she can't recognize that she is falling in love. It is written so well that it seems rational and logical at the time. Most of what I'd like to say about this book includes spoilers, so I'm going to stop here. I'm just going to say it's worth reading.

Here is another review that is long overdue. I first read Snow Globe by Georgia Beers (Brisk Press) very early in the year. Life got a little busy and, so, the review was put on the back burner. I recently made a trip to Provincetown, MA with my cousin. During our drive, I turned my Kindle Fire to "text-to-speech" and we listened to Snow Globe. It was my cousin's introduction to lesbian fiction, in general, and Georgia Beers, in particular. Since we're coming up on the holidays, I determined that I really need to write this review - the timing is rather appropriate. If there is one thing I've learned from reading lesbian fiction it's that I'm pretty confident I will enjoy anything Georgia Beers writes. The enjoyment may be on different levels and for different reasons, but I can trust that it will be a good book. Snow Globe does not disappoint. Beers has a knack for writing interesting characters, playing on my emotions (in only the best sense of the phrase), and telling a really nice romance. The focus in Snow Globe is on the two main characters, Mackenzie (Kenzie) and her best friend, Allison. I know what you're thinking: "Well, of course the focus will be on the two main characters, Carleen. That's the point!" Yes, I know. I get that. But since this story is told from Kenzie's point of view, we aren't inundated with secondary characters. Oh, they are there, make no mistake. But Beers puts the focus where the focus needs to be - on Kenzie and her journey. We're given enough information about Kenzie and Allison throughout the book to get a good picture of who these two women are and how they interact with each other. The story of their friendship is interspersed throughout the novel, rather than dumped on us in a few pages of exposition or backstory. This unfolding makes things much more interesting. The secondary characters are not given the short-shrift, however. Kenzie's descriptions of others, though biased, are full and three-dimensional. And they are all unique - it's impossible for me to get them confused with each other. Thank you for that, Georgia. I usually end up a snotty, crying ball of mush when I read one of Beers' novels. Again, I mean this as an absolute compliment. Without fail, Beers finds a way to hit my emotions in such a way that I fully feel and relate to the characters and what they are going through. In 96 Hours, it was my own memories and experiences with 9/11. Starting from Scratch brought up my own experiences with my mother and grandmother. With Snow Globe, I did not end up crying. Instead, I was often laughing at the miscues and witty dialogue. The "Blonde" and "Polish" jokes throughout the story had me chuckling right along with Kenzie (who is blonde) and Allison (who is Polish). I felt the anger that Kenzie and Allison had toward Kenzie's ex-fiance, Kim. I understood Kenzie's confusion as she navigated her world post-breakup. Beers' ability to write so evocatively is a true talent. Beers has often professed - unabashedly, proudly - that she is a Romance writer. And I am so glad she is because she does it so well. What's very interesting about Snow Globe is that I was able to figure out what the end result would be. I don't think Beers was trying to keep that a secret. But it did not hinder or detract from the novel in any way. In fact, it made Kenzie's journey that much more lovely and interesting. So, yes, I knew who would get together in the end, but I didn't know how they would get together. Using the first-person point of view from Kenzie's perspective added a fun flavor to that journey. This certainly would have been a very different experience had third-person point of view been used and we'd been told the story from multiple perspectives. (Not better or worse, but definitely different.) Exploring that "how" along with Kenzie was simply delightful. Overall, Snow Globe is a sweet romance that is fun and easy to read. It's not overly complicated. There are definite obstacles and conflicts, but they aren't convoluted and highly complex. If you're looking for something that will keep you guessing with every page turn and sitting at the edge of your seat from the intrigue of it all, let me know. I have a few suggestions for you. But if you're looking for a nice romance that will take you on a journey with a very relatable character and have you smiling when you hit that last page, then you definitely want to get Snow Globe. With the weather in the U.S. turning cold - indicating that winter is right around the corner - take this opportunity to curl up in your favorite reading spot, bundled up in your favorite blanket, with your favorite hot drink close at hand, and read Snow Globe. Trust me, you won't regret it.

Mackenzie just got dumped days before her wedding by her fiancé. With a honeymoon for Florida already paid for, Mackenzie decides to take her best friend Allison with her. This book was fantastic to read! The story started off slow and then picked up beautifully. I wish the last 4-5 chapters were more like the last 8-10 (but I understand the need to build the story up and why things happened when they did). I loved that this book spoke about lesbians without someone coming out or being in the closet. It was refreshing. Snow Globes was an enjoyable book to read in the midst of the Christmas season with Christmas music in the background. I loved it!

I really enjoyed this novel. I am a fan of Georgia Beers novels and this one does not disappoint. Occasionally you want to smack Courtney upside the head but in a good way. The characters are warm and likeable. I laughed out loud many times while reading this. I would definitely recommend this novel to anyone looking for a laugh out loud, hilarious romantic comedy. I do not rate many novels five stars but this one deserved it. Definitely worth the time and money.

Rating (/5): 2.7 Story thesis: Woman who has been dumped two weeks before her wedding goes on 'honeymoon' to all inclusive gay resort with her apparently amazing best friend. Age of protagonists: 30's? Romance Arc: Dumped..then Meaningless interludes...then lots of self pity...then oh!true love was there all along. Lesbian status Everyone is out and proud. Sex Scenes: Scene. Singular. Happy Ending: Sure..assuming you actually like the main character. Best Feature of story: Well trodden formula..if you're looking for no surprises, this might work. Worst Features of story: Lazy storyline. No real catalysts or challenges for the character that weren't completely contrived. Any supernatural elements: No. Best suited for: You've had a few cocktails by the pool and you don't need to concentrate on what you're reading. Recommend to: Lesbians who just want mindless reading material that's relatively well written,. Would read other books by author, based on this one: Read her other books first..this is not a great example and she's generally a good read.

I loved this book. The right mix of romance, buddy novel, angst and humor. I love the setting of a gay and lesbian resort during the Christmas holiday. It honors so many of our tropes and stereotypes, while frowning on a few. A great winter read.

Georgia Beers, for me, is a very dependable author. I know when I pick up one of her books that I am going to enjoy it. I haven't always loved her books, but she has never failed to entertain this reader. Initially when I started this novel I felt myself drawing comparisons to Starting From Scratch (which I loved!) because of the first person storytelling. Of course these are different characters and that feeling soon faded away. One thing I really like about Georgia's 1st person storytelling is that she has a way of making making me fall in love with the objects of her narrator's affection. We begin the story with Mackenzie who has just been dumped in the worst possible way by her fiancee nine days before their wedding. Ouch. There to help her pick up the pieces is the incredibly wonderful, sensitive, funny and attractive BFF, Allison. Soon enough these two friends decide to hijack Kenzie's 'should have been' honeymoon and thus our story begins. The friendship between these two is great and I loved their little inside jokes that were definitely not "PC". They knew little things about each other that gave the characters a sense of realness. In addition each of the side characters played a perfect role. Including the state of Florida. Christmas time in Florida is interesting to say the least. Snow is unheard of, people are frolicking in their swimsuits and you can find flamingos with santa hats. Overall it was a great setting. I spent the first half of the novel wanting to knock Mackenzie upside the head. Understandably she was going through some necessary stages of grief, but still the woman seemed to be a magnet for bad decisions at times. On the flip side Allison is everything you would want in a friend and more. Of course, this is indeed a romance, but I won't give anything away concerning how we get to our happily ever after. I do have a few minor quibbles. I won't say that the novel feels incomplete, but I think I wish there had been just a bit more fluff. Mackenzie in her bikini (hey it was mentioned a few times!), resolution with the ex or maybe just a little time spent as a couple past the intimacy part. Speaking of the ex...sometimes when they are made out to be so horrible I have an extremely difficult times figuring out why our lead was with that person to begin with. Seriously though these are minor quibbles and I really enjoyed the book. So don't let those things detract from a purchase decision. I've long awaited another release from Beers and was very happy with this one. Solid 4/5

I've read all of Georgia Beer's books. Snow Globe is yet another winner. I usually read books and zoom to the end. Then I read the book a second time to savor the journey. Georgia is a story teller who blends romance with a sassy flair that brings smiles to the reader. Her characters rock.

Wow. I could not put this down once I started reading. Amazing characters, with a backdrop described so well, I felt like I was in Florida with them. I'm going to be reading this one again in the near future, cheering for Mackenzie and Allison all over again.

The book is about heartbreak and getting through it; we’ve all been there, right? Maybe not quite the way it plays out for Mackenzie, but the story is believable and very well written. The characters are well crafted, likable and the scenery (a gay holiday resort in Florida to be precise) really comes alive. I also loved the ‘terrible blond jokes’. An all-around good read!

I really enjoyed this quick light read from Georgia Beers. I am a big fan of Georgia's books and she didn't disappoint me with this one. As always I loved the humour she adds to her books. I felt the book was well balanced and thought the length was perfect. The characters were great together and liked the way she dropped small hints to slowly build up to Mackenzie realising her own feelings.

Not the best by Georgia by any means. The story has an obvious outcome. However it is a nice read and worth spending the time to read.

What can I say? Anything written by Georgia Beers is well written, entertaining, well balanced. Recommend it ! ! Go buy it folks!