Rita's mother has a stroke which draws her back home far away from sunny California where she's been hairdresser to the stars. I found myself sucked into this book where Rita is only going to stay a short period of times. She reconnects with some old friends and finds some people don't change, they just learn to hide their nastiness a bit better. This turned out to be a fun read and Rita finds some qualities in herself that she doesn't care for. ( )

Book Description....

"Rita Jansen is living her dream as a hairstylist in Hollywood when her father calls with news that her mother has suffered a stroke. When she gets home to Chicago, Rita finds her mother is healing but facing a long recovery. Worse, without being able to run their family-owned salon, her mother could lose the business. Rita decides to help, but she only has until Valentine's Day to come up with a plan.
As Rita takes her mother's place at work, the nearby skating rink she loved as a child brings back fond memories. Rita also finds herself renewing friendships with her childhood best friend, Marley, as well as her classmate Johnny. Although they now lead such seemingly different lives, Rita is surprised by how well she and Johnny connect and how far he will go to help her. Though Rita believes Johnny is only being kind, with romance kindling in the air and on the ice, their friendship may just fall into something more."

Title: Love Gently Falling
Author: Melody Carlson
Publisher: Center Street
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 5
Review:

"Love Gently Falling" by Melody Carson

What I liked about this novel....

This was a good read of how one family member really makes a difference in her life after her mothers has had a stroke. I loved how this author show such affection that she [Rita] had for her family. We find that Rita was a hair stylist in Beverly Hills and has come back home to Chicago to be with the family due to the fact that her mom has had a stroke. What I especially liked about this read was after seeing how the bad conditions were in her mom's hair shop Rita decides to do something about it in just the few weeks Rita was to stay in Chicago. I liked how Rita felt that since her Mom had supported her dreams it was now her turn to help out. Now, what do you think Rita was wanting to do? Now, this is the part where I say you will have to pick up "Love Gently Falling" to see what all Rita has in mind to do and will she be able to do it? It was a great story interest in how Rita was able to get the tasked done in just the short time she was there in Chicago. I found all the the characters for the most part were all well developed, defined, well portrayed and very believable giving the reader a well told and written storyline.

The story will also dwell on old friendships...well this is the part that gets somewhat sticky for me. Were these really all her friends? There was one that seemed sort of flaky at times, Johnny was a likable person ... [could Rita find love with him?] and then their was another one that wasn't really a pleasant person. Now, what was really going on in all of this? Were there some fences that needed to be mended and if so by whom? All I will say is that you will have to pick up the read to see for yourself who really was Rita's friends.

By the end of "Love Gently Falling" will Rita be able t get her Mom's shop 'Hair and Now' in top shape? Will she renew old friendships and possibly get a different future than she had planned? One thing for sure you will get a ending that will have you wondering...at lease it was for me?

What else I liked...

I found this author wrote a quick, very sweet light hearted love story that was in time for the Valentine Holiday that really fitted very well with the story. Also I liked how including the return of the skating Ice Ring that had reopened after all these years that was located outside the 'Hair and Now' hair shop...would this be there for Rita to find love? If you are looking for a clean read where loyalty to the family comes first then you have come to the right place for good read "Love Gently Falling" that I would recommend as a good read. ( )

I received a book to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Rita's love of hairstyling started in her mom's salon. Her mom paid her way through one of the best beauty schools in California. Now Rita has a job she loves with some high-end clientele. When she receives a call from her father telling her that her mother has suffered a stroke she immediately flys home. She is surprised to find an old classmate there to pick her up. Johnny knows her family as Rita's mom is one of his clients. He fills her in on the happenings since she's been gone. Rita learns that her mom's former receptionist now has a salon in the same mall her mother's salon is in. Not only that, but Zinnia is best friends with Rita's former best friend Marley. They haven't spoken for quite some time. Rita decides the best way to help her mother is to help her salon get back on its feet. Can she bring not only the shop back to life, but mend the fences between her and her friends? Will she discover love in the form of her former classmate Johnny?

I would encourage you to read the book to find out. This is a light-hearted book. Fun and full of love. This is perfect for that quiet evening when you have nothing else to do. Melody Carlson has a way of making you feel like you are a part of the family when you read her books. Check this book out to find out the Valentine's surprise the author has left us with. ( )

Bubby: Love Gently Falling is a perfect curl up on the couch with a cup of cocoa kind of book. Great for this next week when the kids (finally!) go back to school and the house is quiet again!

Sissy: Today at my house it is 12 degrees with a "real-feel" of -4 because of windchill. It is the kind of day where you get a blanket and read a good book like Love Gently Falling by Melody Carlson.

Bubby: Are you saying you want me to leave your house and go home so that you can read books in solitude?

Sissy: Yep. Get out. (Read full review at www.bubblebath-books.com) ( )

Title: Love Gently Falling
Author: Melody Carlson
Pages: 160
Year: 2015
Publisher: Center Street
Melody Carlson shares a tale with readers about a young woman who works hard and looks like she has achieved success, so why does Rita still feel empty? Then Rita receives a call that her mother in Chicago is in the hospital. With the help of a roommate, travel plans are made and by that evening Rita is back in the cold of Chicago from her warm California condo. What starts as a hard couple of days concerning her mother actually starts Rita down memory lane when she assumes responsibility for her mother’s failing hair salon.
Now, let me assure you that I have not divulged much of the story. It is the proverbial “tip of the iceberg” as there is a lot more readers will discover! I sat down one afternoon simply enjoying this story of a young woman who finds enjoyment in being back in Chicago helping her family. The author writes in such a way that the interaction between characters is engrossing with easily believable situations and redemption. It took me a couple of hours just to curl up, read and thoroughly enjoy the novel! I hope you enjoy reading your own copy too!
My rating is 5 stars.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Other reviews can be read at http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspot.com/ . Also follow me on Twitter @lcjohnson1988, FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/lisa.johnson.75457 ( )