Review: "Eight Days A Week" by Amber L. Johnson


Note: This ARC was provided by The Writer's Coffee Shop via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Let me begin by saying that I read the ARC of this book more than a month ago and I've been itching to post my review for it since then. I came THIS close to posting it upon the book's release yesterday but reined myself in and held out on the agreed upon date, which is, obviously, today. ^.^ This is the first book by author Amber L. Johnson that I've had the pleasure of reading and based on how I felt while and after reading Eight Days a Week, my already out of control TBR list is going to have three new additions, i.e. the author's three previously released books.

Andrew Lyons tends to shirk from any form of responsibility and has never really been the type to settle in one place for long, acting like someone who's constantly in search of something (or someone). When he finds himself at the uncomfortable end of a living arrangement with his sister, who pointedly reminds him to go out and look for a job, Andrew realizes he desperately needs his own place AND a job if he intends to live solo. Lo and behold, he stumbles upon both when he finds an ad on Craigslist.

Gwen Stone has always taken her responsibilities to heart. Her being good at her job has landed her a new promotion but with two young children that need looking after, she realizes that she needs help desperately. When Andrew shows up at her home to answer an ad she posted on Craigslist, he thinks it's merely to rent a room, but Gwen decides that he's the solution to her child-caring problems and offers him a job and a place to stay. It's a win-win situation for everyone. Right?

Andrew, who is later nicknamed "Dee" by the cuteness that are Bree and Brady, finds himself distracted by his employer, who just happens to be one beautiful woman. He makes his mistakes while caring for the kids, but, as the story goes on, his feelings for them develop but then so do his feelings for Gwen. There are, inevitably, complications that arise and it becomes a question of whether or not Andrew decides that this sudden family he's become a part of is something he wants to fight for.

Eight Days a Week is told from the point of view of Andrew and suffice it to say that there were some definite moments I wished I could smack the guy. This tends to happen when I read books that are written from the male lead character's viewpoint, especially if he just happens to be somewhat clueless, and it's done really well. ^.^ Andrew's "manny log" entries are a hoot and his seemingly random musings can't help but make you smile. Who doesn't love a guy who can make get that kind of reaction out of you?

This book felt like a combination romantic comedy and coming of age story. Yes, you read that right. Who had the whole "coming of age" thingy? Well, my beloved Andrew, of course. The guy learned several things while being the manny of the house and the time he spends with Bree and Brady give him much needed insight on what it is to be a responsible adult in the real world. And the romantic comedy part? There were moments that had me swooning as much as Gwen was and then there were the moments that I couldn't help but snicker at Andrew's antics. 

I liked that the story progressed over a longer period of time than you'd expect from a lot of today's romance novels. It felt more real and allowed the characters to commit their mistakes and learn from them. I really loved that the book's title and all the chapter titles were taken from songs by The Beatles, one of my favorite bands of all time, and that each one seemed apt for whatever was going on in the story. This was an easy book to fall in love with and one that goes on my list of Favorite Reads for 2014. Eight Days a Week gets five stars and if you haven't already, make sure you go and get yourself a copy of it, like, NOW. ♥

Please check out my special spotlight on the book and, drum roll, please... A SWAG GIVEAWAY, open INTERNATIONALLY! You can find both by simply clicking HERE. Oh, and make sure to read my interview with the book's author, Amber L. Johnson, which I shall be posting tomorrow. Happy, happy, joy, joy! ^.^

Release Date: 06 November 2014

Date read: 30 September 2014

Learn more about the up-and-coming Amber L. Johnson here.

Grab a copy of Eight Days a Week on Amazon | Barnes & Noble.

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