{"id":48147,"date":"2019-11-28T08:30:00","date_gmt":"2019-11-28T13:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/?p=48147"},"modified":"2019-11-28T09:29:37","modified_gmt":"2019-11-28T14:29:37","slug":"re-release-review-from-the-ground-up-a-better-place-feels-like-home-by-jennifer-van-wyk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/?p=48147","title":{"rendered":"Re-release, Review & Giveaway: From the Ground Up, A Better Place & Feels Like Home by Jennifer Van Wyk"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jennifer Van Wyk’s first three books have a brand new look!<\/strong><\/h4>\n

 <\/p>\n

From the Ground Up<\/strong><\/h4>\n

A Better Place<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Feels Like Home<\/strong><\/h4>\n

 <\/p>\n

Fun, steamy and emotional romance, I love these books so much!!!!<\/strong><\/h4>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

\"\"From the Ground Up<\/strong>
\nBuy:\u00a0 Kindle Ebook<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 Paperback<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n

5 stars!<\/b><\/p>\n

OMG, this book! I loved it so much! A stunning romance that is as unique as it is beautiful and realistic, it\u2019s a truly special story and one of those books that you just want to curl up inside of and never leave.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I was seventeen I fell in love. And I never fell out. I was lucky.\u201d
\n\u201cNo, Barret. I was the lucky one. Still am.\u201d<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Barrett and Tess were high school sweethearts who fell in love at 17. Now in their 40s, they have been married for 22 years, have four children and two businesses, and they\u2019ve lost their groove a bit while dealing with life, work and kids. They\u2019re still madly in love, they just miss the \u2018us\u2019 they used to be and are trying to find their way back to each other.<\/p>\n

Read full review<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

\"\"A Better Place<\/strong>
\nBuy:\u00a0 Kindle Ebook<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 Paperback<\/a>
\n<\/b><\/h4>\n

4 stars!<\/b><\/p>\n

I love this book! A single parent romance with mature characters (both in their 40s) that is beautifully sweet and packed with emotion.<\/p>\n

Quick disclaimer: Jennifer Van Wyk\u2019s first novels are publicised as standalones, but be aware that they all tie in together. You could read this one on its own, but there is a lot of character crossover, and I recommend reading them in publication order in order to fully follow the dynamics (see details below).<\/p>\n

This is James and Carly\u2019s book. James is the brother of Tess from book #1, and he is a single father to a 20-year-old daughter, Lily. Carly is new-ish to town, and is the teacher of James\u2019 first-grader niece. An embarrassing encounter during school drop off sparks a wild attraction that takes them both by surprise, and puts them on a path that neither of them were expecting.<\/p>\n

James has been on his own since his ex-wife walked out when his daughter was only three, and since then he has put his life on hold to be there for his girl. Now that she\u2019s off in College, he\u2019s at a point where he\u2019s looking to pursue his own dreams, and that includes the woman that he can\u2019t get out of his mind.<\/p>\n

Carly experienced hell in her marriage. Emotionally abused for years, her history has understandably left her extremely skittish around men, but she can\u2019t deny her mad attraction to James, and he makes it clear that he feels exactly the same way. He recognises that she\u2019s been through something awful and that she\u2019s terrified of getting involved, but he is sweet, patient and caring, and with the promise of \u201cfriends only\u201d while they get to know each other, they begin a sweet and easy friendship.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d really, really like the chance to get to know you better.\u201d
\n\u201cYou would?\u201d
\n\u201cI would.\u201d
\n\u201cBut\u2026why?\u201d
\n\u201cWhy?\u201d
\n\u201cYeah. Why? I mean, I\u2019m nothing\u2026\u201d\u201d
\n\u201cYou\u2019re everything.\u201d
\n\u201cYou don\u2019t even know me.\u201d
\n\u201cAnd yet I already know that you\u2019re everything.\u201d<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Things actually move pretty quickly between them, but it feels<\/i> like a slow burn as they slowly get to know and become comfortable with each other, and we get to watch each little stage as their relationship develops. Though they declare themselves friends, there is so much more between them from the very start, and all of those feelings build beautifully as they open up to each other, and though he takes things slowly, James is open about what he is feeling and what he wants, and it\u2019s so freaking gorgeous!<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t be nervous around me. Don\u2019t be afraid to be yourself.\u201d
\n\u201cI\u2019m not\u2026\u201d She begins to protest, but I stop her by pressing my thumb against her lips.
\n\u201cYeah, you are. But we\u2019ll get there. I promise, one day\u2026\u201d I lean closer to her. \u201c\u2026one day we\u2019ll get there. Together.\u201d<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I love James. He is sweet, funny, and just such a good<\/i> guy, and I adored him pretty much instantly. And Carly is a wonderful character. She\u2019s overcome so much, and her mix of strength and vulnerability was understandable and really well written. I loved them individually, and I loved them together, and when you add their kids to the mix \u2013 particularly a very protective, yet still traumatised 16 year old Jack \u2013 it\u2019s a beautiful dynamic. James and Jack together absolutely melted my heart, and I love the relationship that they develop.<\/p>\n

The characters from the previous book, and the next book, are all a big part of the story, with wild family gatherings, drunken girls\u2019 night outs, and manly chats adding a lot of fun. This is such a great group, all very tightly bound together, and I loved seeing them all encouraging James and Carly along the way.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m falling, baby. Hard.\u201d
\n\u201cYeah?\u201d
\n\u201cI am. You feeling any of that?\u201d
\n\u201cAll of that.\u201d<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

There is a bit of drama, but it\u2019s all external to the relationship, and doesn\u2019t really come as a surprise. It\u2019s handled well, and creates great opportunity for character and relationship developments, and it works really well with the love story, with James and Carly standing strong in the face of it all.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s it for me. She\u2019s everything. No doubt about it. And I\u2019ll protect her with every last breath I have in me if I have to.\u201d<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I love a grown-up, functional romance, and that is exactly what this book is. James and Carly are open and honest, they tease and laugh and are all-in with each other, even while keeping things friendly. Their romance is sweet, sexy and swoony with all the feels, and I loved this one!<\/p>\n

4 stars.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

\"\"Feels Like Home<\/strong>
\nBuy:\u00a0 Kindle Ebook<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 Paperback<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n

5 stars!<\/b><\/p>\n

I freaking LOVED this book! A gorgeous romance between an older couple \u2013 both single parents of teenagers \u2013 that have been burned badly by love, this relationship is full of emotion, fun, laughs, passion and intensity, it\u2019s functional and heartwarming, and OMG the swoon! I devoured this book, completely caught up in the love story, and I absolutely loved it!<\/p>\n

Read full review<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/h4>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

Jennifer Van Wyk’s Interconnected Standalones<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Each of these books can be read as standalones, but there are strong character tie-ins.<\/p>\n

\"\" \u00a0\"\" \u00a0\"\"\u00a0 \"\"\u00a0 \"\" \u00a0\"\"<\/p>\n

From the Ground Up<\/strong> (Barrett & Tess)
\nReview<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0 Kindle Ebook<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 Paperback<\/a><\/p>\n

A Better Place<\/strong> (James & Carly)
\nReview<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0 Kindle Ebook<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 Paperback<\/a><\/p>\n

Feels Like Home<\/strong> (Andy & Christine)
\nReview<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0 Kindle Ebook<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 Paperback<\/a><\/p>\n

Waiting For Her<\/strong> (Grady & Bri)
\nReview<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0 Kindle Ebook<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 Paperback<\/a><\/p>\n

All I Need<\/strong> (Walker & Ellie)
\nReview<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0 Kindle Ebook<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 Paperback<\/a><\/p>\n

The Other Guy <\/strong>(Jack & Sierra)
\nReview<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0 Kindle Ebook<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Click here for our suggested reading order and to see how all of these characters tie together.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

Giveaway<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Jennifer Van Wyk is giving away a $15 Amazon Gift Card!<\/h4>\n

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n

The Escapist Book Blog is not responsible for this giveaway<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

About the Author<\/strong><\/h4>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

From the Ground Up<\/em>\u00a0was Jennifer\u2019s first published novel and now that she was bitten by the writing bug, has no intention of ever stopping. Jennifer makes her home in small town Iowa with her high school sweetheart, three beautiful, hilarious and amazing kids, one crazy Jack Russell terrier. This is where her love for all things reading, baking, and cooking happen.\u00a0 Jennifer\u2019s family enjoys camping, boating, and spending time outside as much as possible. You\u2019ll be her best friend if you can make her laugh and follow up with asking her what to read next. When she\u2019s not writing, you can find her cheering the loudest at her kids\u2019 sporting events (read as: embarrassing them), sipping coffee or iced tea out of a mason jar with her Kindle in her lap or binging on Netflix.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Amazon\u00a0<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0\u00a0Facebook\u00a0<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0\u00a0Twitter\u00a0<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0\u00a0Instagram\u00a0<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0\u00a0Reader Group<\/a>
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Goodreads\u00a0<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0\u00a0BookBub\u00a0<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>Book + Main<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Hosted<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  Jennifer Van Wyk’s first three books have a brand new look!   From the Ground Up A Better Place Feels Like Home   Fun, steamy and emotional romance, I love these books so much!!!! […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":48166,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","yasr_overall_rating":0,"yasr_post_is_review":"","yasr_auto_insert_disabled":"","yasr_review_type":"Product","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[290,52,49,9,1036,29],"tags":[790,48,76],"class_list":["post-48147","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-book-news","category-drama","category-feeeeeeels","category-romance","category-single-parent","category-steamy","tag-jennifer-van-wyk","tag-review","tag-standalone"],"yasr_visitor_votes":{"stars_attributes":{"read_only":false,"span_bottom":false},"number_of_votes":0,"sum_votes":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/A-Better-Place.jpg?fit=200%2C300&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7gaNL-cwz","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48147","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=48147"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48147\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/48166"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=48147"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=48147"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=48147"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}