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Aggie's Inheritance #1
Ready or Not
Fresh out of college, Aggie Milliken thinks she’s prepared for anything life can throw her way. Think again, Aggie!
After the abrupt loss of her sister and brother-in-law, Aggie is stunned to find herself the sole guardian of their eight lively children. If learning basic parenting skills wasn’t complicated enough, she must also battle the children’s half-crazed grandmother, survive a massive remodeling project, and navigate the waters of new friendships—alone.
She has little experience with children and none with housekeeping, and it shows. What she has going for her is grit, a double dose of determination, and the confidence that this is exactly where the Lord wants her to be. With an unlimited P-mail account and enough hymns to keep her spirits bolstered, she tackles one catastrophe after another.
It seems like nothing Aggie does is right, but ready or not, here she comes!
After the abrupt loss of her sister and brother-in-law, Aggie is stunned to find herself the sole guardian of their eight lively children. If learning basic parenting skills wasn’t complicated enough, she must also battle the children’s half-crazed grandmother, survive a massive remodeling project, and navigate the waters of new friendships—alone.
She has little experience with children and none with housekeeping, and it shows. What she has going for her is grit, a double dose of determination, and the confidence that this is exactly where the Lord wants her to be. With an unlimited P-mail account and enough hymns to keep her spirits bolstered, she tackles one catastrophe after another.
It seems like nothing Aggie does is right, but ready or not, here she comes!
348 pages, Paperback
First published March 27, 2010
316 people are currently reading
1,523 people want to read
About the author
Chautona Havig
272books1,815followers**fingers skittle across the keyboard. Stop. Eyelids blink over the top**
Oh, was this bio day? Oops! I forgot. I was lost in my latest manuscript. Umm... bio. Yeah.
Hi! I’m Chautona Havig. (for those who care, that’s Shuh-TONE-uh HAVE-ig). Yeah. Just work with me here. I should have used a pseudonym, but when you grow up with a name like Chautona, it kind of sticks.
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. ~ Hebrews 10: 23�25
Those aren’t just words on a page for me–they’re why I write. I write to encourage my brothers and sisters in Christ. The stories I create are to make people laugh, cry, question, consider.
They’re for you.
When the world screams for hope, I try to point you to the true Source of hope–Jesus.
Sometimes life in the church no longer seems a refuge from the pain of a self-serving world around us, but through my stories, I try to point you to the only Refuge that can truly help–the Father’s Everlasting Arms.
And sometimes we just need an escape from the monotony, the emptiness we see around us. We need joy, laughter–what I like to call “just the write escape.�
Christian fiction without apology or pretense–lived, not preached.
What does that even mean?
It means I care–about you. About your walk with Jesus. I care about the words you put before your eyes, the mental pictures those words conjure. It’s difficult to express just how much I love my brothers and sisters in Christ. It’s difficult to share just how much I love you.
But I do.
And I write for you. I sit in my little house in California’s Mojave Desert and I write to show you why one sister believes one thing, why a brother believes another. I write to show you how some Christians handle trials or triumphs–for you. So when you’re faced with something–good or bad, it doesn’t matter–maybe it’ll spark a memory. Maybe that memory will smolder until you pull out your Bible and see what the Lord said about it–about His great love for you. For YOU!
And maybe, just maybe, you’ll share that love with another hurting, confused, or blessed-with-more-than-she-knows-what-to-do-with soul.
I just happen to think that’s the most blessed giving anyone could hope to receive.
Oh, was this bio day? Oops! I forgot. I was lost in my latest manuscript. Umm... bio. Yeah.
Hi! I’m Chautona Havig. (for those who care, that’s Shuh-TONE-uh HAVE-ig). Yeah. Just work with me here. I should have used a pseudonym, but when you grow up with a name like Chautona, it kind of sticks.
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. ~ Hebrews 10: 23�25
Those aren’t just words on a page for me–they’re why I write. I write to encourage my brothers and sisters in Christ. The stories I create are to make people laugh, cry, question, consider.
They’re for you.
When the world screams for hope, I try to point you to the true Source of hope–Jesus.
Sometimes life in the church no longer seems a refuge from the pain of a self-serving world around us, but through my stories, I try to point you to the only Refuge that can truly help–the Father’s Everlasting Arms.
And sometimes we just need an escape from the monotony, the emptiness we see around us. We need joy, laughter–what I like to call “just the write escape.�
Christian fiction without apology or pretense–lived, not preached.
What does that even mean?
It means I care–about you. About your walk with Jesus. I care about the words you put before your eyes, the mental pictures those words conjure. It’s difficult to express just how much I love my brothers and sisters in Christ. It’s difficult to share just how much I love you.
But I do.
And I write for you. I sit in my little house in California’s Mojave Desert and I write to show you why one sister believes one thing, why a brother believes another. I write to show you how some Christians handle trials or triumphs–for you. So when you’re faced with something–good or bad, it doesn’t matter–maybe it’ll spark a memory. Maybe that memory will smolder until you pull out your Bible and see what the Lord said about it–about His great love for you. For YOU!
And maybe, just maybe, you’ll share that love with another hurting, confused, or blessed-with-more-than-she-knows-what-to-do-with soul.
I just happen to think that’s the most blessed giving anyone could hope to receive.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 152 reviews
March 17, 2017
I started reading this book two years ago. Sadly I didn't really like it. There were way too many characters which made it really confusing for me, plus the storyline wasn't all that interesting. A week or so ago I saw some people commenting about how much they liked the book, so I decided to give it another go. (I had it on my phone kindle, so I just started right where I'd left off.)
The amount of characters was still confusing - in fact since I didn't go back and re-read the beginning of the book I wasn't quite sure how old some of the children were, or even how many girls and how many boys. (They have names I've never heard of before, like Tavish and Laird.) And, there were parts that were unrealistic of that I didn't quite agree with, but overall I was amazed at how the family kinda drew me in after I got to know them.
I wanted to keep reading - not because the story was gripping, but because it was every-day-life-ish and interesting and made me feel like I was friends with the characters. It's a long book, and it does drag at times, but in the end I liked it so much that I right away bought the second book in the series and began reading it.
So, it took me two years to get into it (I tried to read it several times during that period), and in the end, it was worth it.
The amount of characters was still confusing - in fact since I didn't go back and re-read the beginning of the book I wasn't quite sure how old some of the children were, or even how many girls and how many boys. (They have names I've never heard of before, like Tavish and Laird.) And, there were parts that were unrealistic of that I didn't quite agree with, but overall I was amazed at how the family kinda drew me in after I got to know them.
I wanted to keep reading - not because the story was gripping, but because it was every-day-life-ish and interesting and made me feel like I was friends with the characters. It's a long book, and it does drag at times, but in the end I liked it so much that I right away bought the second book in the series and began reading it.
So, it took me two years to get into it (I tried to read it several times during that period), and in the end, it was worth it.
March 23, 2018
I try to avoid reading very many romance novels in the first place (they either send my head into the clouds with the delighfulness or into the wall with the drama), so it’s very unusual to find me recommending a series of them. These books by Christian author, Chautona Havig, are the best “romance novels� I’ve ever read; but they are also much more than that.
How in the world do I explain how awesome these books are??!! Well, try this. Take a freshly graduated college student dealing with grief; add eight kids (ages 12 to a baby!) for her to feed, clothe, homeschool, disciple (remember, they are dealing with grief too!), and take to the ER a few times; mix in two suitors—an imposing police officer and a very handy handyman; remember the aforesaid crazy, scary, loopy, controlling, nuts grandmother-in-law; and stir in a seven bedroom farmhouse to remodel. Now you have what I’m talkin� about!! (And they are really long books too! Delightfully so!!)
So, if you’re looking for more of a sensible, God-centered “romance novel� with a good story that isn’t just filler between the mush parts (Lorna and the picture frame is really cute!); I suggest you read these books! ; ) Enjoy!!
How in the world do I explain how awesome these books are??!! Well, try this. Take a freshly graduated college student dealing with grief; add eight kids (ages 12 to a baby!) for her to feed, clothe, homeschool, disciple (remember, they are dealing with grief too!), and take to the ER a few times; mix in two suitors—an imposing police officer and a very handy handyman; remember the aforesaid crazy, scary, loopy, controlling, nuts grandmother-in-law; and stir in a seven bedroom farmhouse to remodel. Now you have what I’m talkin� about!! (And they are really long books too! Delightfully so!!)
So, if you’re looking for more of a sensible, God-centered “romance novel� with a good story that isn’t just filler between the mush parts (Lorna and the picture frame is really cute!); I suggest you read these books! ; ) Enjoy!!
January 27, 2014
This book was so good! I don't know why it took me so long to read it. This author did an amazing job developing her characters and making them feel so real.
I think my favorite part of the book is how unashamed Aggie was of her beliefs, and how seamlessly they fell into her life. The book wasn't preaching or over the top, but Aggie's high standards were there.
The whole concept of mid-twenties year old, suddenly inheriting her eight nieces and nephews was great. Watching Aggie learning to deal with being a mother mad me laugh, sigh, and just want to give here a hug.
I cannot wait to read the next two books.
I think my favorite part of the book is how unashamed Aggie was of her beliefs, and how seamlessly they fell into her life. The book wasn't preaching or over the top, but Aggie's high standards were there.
The whole concept of mid-twenties year old, suddenly inheriting her eight nieces and nephews was great. Watching Aggie learning to deal with being a mother mad me laugh, sigh, and just want to give here a hug.
I cannot wait to read the next two books.
March 22, 2019
Mmmm-kay. So--my feelings on this book are all over the place! There was some that I liked, some that I loved, and a couple of things that really bugged me. But even with that, I'm finding that I can't say I didn't really enjoy the book. :)
Okay, so the writing style was not my favorite. I don't mind omniscient POVs in general, but this one didn't feel like it was executed all that well, and it really distracted me. Also, the narration was very heavy on telling vs. showing, which added to my discomfort with the style. I haven't had that issue with other books I've read from this author, so I'm not sure what happened here, but it bugged me to the point that I would probably have knocked it down to three stars or less, except...
The character and situations were so believable and hilarious! I laughed out loud several times and had to share several scenarios with someone else so they could laugh with me. The big-family and little-kid dynamics were spot-on, and I absolutely lost it over Laird's answer to the "you have eight kids?" question! X'D I thought the other characters were handled really well, too, with a lot more nuances than they might have shown at first.
I did notice a few inconsistencies in the storyline , but they were pretty minor, and I liked the way the plot dealt mostly with day-to-day life (and day-to-day crises!), except...
Aaaaargh!!! The love triangle!!! Why?!? Okay, so here's where my reaction gets wacky. I absolutely despise and abominate love triangles. With a passion. And I do not like this one. At all. But...aaargh, I don't know...I kind of don't really want to throw the book, even though it was in there?! And while I'm tempted to go read summaries/spoilers for all the other books to make sure she ends up with the guy I want before I continue (yes, I've done it before *hides*), I also kind of don't want to, which really confuses me! :P And at the same time, I'm on pins and needles to find out because while I think there's only one possible right guy for her, I'm really scared that the author might have other ideas... And I don't really dislike the other guy, although I really wasn't a fan at first, but I still don't necessarily want him with Aggie and...help!!! XS
Yeah, so, that was on the incoherent and rambling side, but that's kind of where my thoughts on the book are at the moment. :) But it's very telling that even with a style I didn't really like and a boatload of worry about how the love triangle is going to come out, I can't help giving this the extra half-star to bump it up over "I liked it." The next book will be going on my list, and I will be holding my breath. ;)
3.5 stars
Content--awkward comments; mentions of physical and emotional abuse; mentions of wounds and blood (not graphic); mentions of spanking children; mention of a girl starting her period
Okay, so the writing style was not my favorite. I don't mind omniscient POVs in general, but this one didn't feel like it was executed all that well, and it really distracted me. Also, the narration was very heavy on telling vs. showing, which added to my discomfort with the style. I haven't had that issue with other books I've read from this author, so I'm not sure what happened here, but it bugged me to the point that I would probably have knocked it down to three stars or less, except...
The character and situations were so believable and hilarious! I laughed out loud several times and had to share several scenarios with someone else so they could laugh with me. The big-family and little-kid dynamics were spot-on, and I absolutely lost it over Laird's answer to the "you have eight kids?" question! X'D I thought the other characters were handled really well, too, with a lot more nuances than they might have shown at first.
I did notice a few inconsistencies in the storyline , but they were pretty minor, and I liked the way the plot dealt mostly with day-to-day life (and day-to-day crises!), except...
Aaaaargh!!! The love triangle!!! Why?!? Okay, so here's where my reaction gets wacky. I absolutely despise and abominate love triangles. With a passion. And I do not like this one. At all. But...aaargh, I don't know...I kind of don't really want to throw the book, even though it was in there?! And while I'm tempted to go read summaries/spoilers for all the other books to make sure she ends up with the guy I want before I continue (yes, I've done it before *hides*), I also kind of don't want to, which really confuses me! :P And at the same time, I'm on pins and needles to find out because while I think there's only one possible right guy for her, I'm really scared that the author might have other ideas... And I don't really dislike the other guy, although I really wasn't a fan at first, but I still don't necessarily want him with Aggie and...help!!! XS
Yeah, so, that was on the incoherent and rambling side, but that's kind of where my thoughts on the book are at the moment. :) But it's very telling that even with a style I didn't really like and a boatload of worry about how the love triangle is going to come out, I can't help giving this the extra half-star to bump it up over "I liked it." The next book will be going on my list, and I will be holding my breath. ;)
3.5 stars
Content--awkward comments; mentions of physical and emotional abuse; mentions of wounds and blood (not graphic); mentions of spanking children; mention of a girl starting her period
June 28, 2016
This is by far the most favorite book I’ve been reading lately. Mom finally convinced me to read it after all her ranting, and I’ve got to say I’ve fallen in love with the story too. Aggie, mother of eight inherited children, is so real in all her struggles of learning to be a mother—let alone learning to deal with her inherited mother-in-law! Even though Ready or Not is a long story, I’m enjoying every word—and glad to know there are two more books in the series waiting for me to read them! Oh, and did I mention I love the humor in the story?
April 29, 2014
I got this as a free book through Book Bub and loved it. I'm going to have to get the rest of the series to find out what happens with Aggie and all the kids. I can't even imagine having 8 kids (2 sets of twins) much less suddenly becoming the guardian of 8 kids at the age of 22. While it is sad in places it is also laugh out loud funny in other places.
August 18, 2022
I just finished reading this out loud to my sisters, and we all really loved it! We all can't wait to start in on the second book! :D
December 1, 2012
A young woman in her early twenties is left to take care of her 8 nieces and nephews after their parents die.
I felt like the book was a never-ending cycle of the same scenes:
The children misbehave and she deals with it.
Her sister's mother-in-law shows up and makes a scene so she has to call the police.
She chats with her best friend online.
She has an emotional breakdown and other people come to her rescue.
A very heavy Christian theme. She wears skirts all of the time, no pants at all. She prays a lot, goes to church, etc.
I find it hard to believe that the main character has never been on a real date and has never been kissed by a man. And apparently shes never really been interested in having a relationship with men or getting married. She is surrounded by two really great, good looking men who obviously really like her, are always there for her, are good with her children and help her constantly. But she doesn't even think in that direction, which I find unbelievable. She seems clueless to what is in front of her fact and it seems stupid.
This was just okay for me. I could barely give it 2 stars. I won't be reading the rest of the books in the series. You can almost predict what is going to happen.
I felt like the book was a never-ending cycle of the same scenes:
The children misbehave and she deals with it.
Her sister's mother-in-law shows up and makes a scene so she has to call the police.
She chats with her best friend online.
She has an emotional breakdown and other people come to her rescue.
A very heavy Christian theme. She wears skirts all of the time, no pants at all. She prays a lot, goes to church, etc.
I find it hard to believe that the main character has never been on a real date and has never been kissed by a man. And apparently shes never really been interested in having a relationship with men or getting married. She is surrounded by two really great, good looking men who obviously really like her, are always there for her, are good with her children and help her constantly. But she doesn't even think in that direction, which I find unbelievable. She seems clueless to what is in front of her fact and it seems stupid.
This was just okay for me. I could barely give it 2 stars. I won't be reading the rest of the books in the series. You can almost predict what is going to happen.
October 6, 2013
I have written elsewere that when I look back on the past six months or so, some might think I am overdosing on Chautona's books. The thing is, I'm not. Each series, although tied by area (the fictious Rockland) each character arc is different and each storyline unique. That's what's so great about them :)
20-something Aggie inherits her eight nieces and nephews, a grandmother-in-law, and the wherwithall to be able to care for them. She had just graduated from college and was getting ready to teach, when a tragic accident forces her to change direction. She doesn't feel at all up to the task, and with her faith at the ready, and old and new friends, she begins to build a life for the clan. And, I can hardly wait to see what will happen next!
20-something Aggie inherits her eight nieces and nephews, a grandmother-in-law, and the wherwithall to be able to care for them. She had just graduated from college and was getting ready to teach, when a tragic accident forces her to change direction. She doesn't feel at all up to the task, and with her faith at the ready, and old and new friends, she begins to build a life for the clan. And, I can hardly wait to see what will happen next!
January 13, 2022
I have found very few modern fiction books that I really liked, far fewer that I was interested in reading twice. Ready or Not is one of those very few. I got it free for my Kindle, and now I want to read the rest of the series! I first read it a year or so ago, but decided to reread it now, to decide if it was as worth reviewing for this website as I remembered. It sucked me in just as much as on the first read, and once again I was highly impressed. This is an author I’d like to read more of!
Read my full review .
January 3, 2013
College grad "inherits" her sister's eight children. She is unprepared and whiny.
January 17, 2013
I absolutely loved this book. I can't wait to start the next one in the series.
February 22, 2022
What a fun look into the life of Aggie, who has been entrusted with the care of her 8 nieces and nephews. Aggie has her life all neatly planned out, she has her teacher position ready to begin and then tragedy strikes! Her sister and her husband are in a fatal accident. Much to Aggie's surprise, she discovers that they have left everything to her! Nothing like finding out you're an instant mother, with not one, not two but EIGHT children left in your care. Dealing with the children, the children's evil grandmother, remodeling a new home, thinking she may be falling in love.....so many things went on, it kept me waiting for the next scene! Loved the mention of homeschooling as well. Great book and I'll be heading to get the next one in the series.
October 10, 2023
This story immediately piqued my interest! An aunt inherits 8 nieces and nephews!
All in all it was a fun story, and I loved the trope, but it could have been done better. I feel like the whole story could have been put in one book, things could have been tightened up, and it would have flowed a lot better.
It felt like the author was also just throwing in random pet peeves, beliefs, and random topics she wanted her characters to discuss - like skirts, vows, child discipline etc. Not that you can never discuss those things in a book, but the way it was just tossed in there didn't feel right.
The sub-plot of the kids grief journey felt woefully neglected, hinted at randomly. It didn't flow naturally.
It was a fun, interesting book, but left me disappointed.
All in all it was a fun story, and I loved the trope, but it could have been done better. I feel like the whole story could have been put in one book, things could have been tightened up, and it would have flowed a lot better.
It felt like the author was also just throwing in random pet peeves, beliefs, and random topics she wanted her characters to discuss - like skirts, vows, child discipline etc. Not that you can never discuss those things in a book, but the way it was just tossed in there didn't feel right.
The sub-plot of the kids grief journey felt woefully neglected, hinted at randomly. It didn't flow naturally.
It was a fun, interesting book, but left me disappointed.
June 28, 2019
A fun, unique story with the culture of homeschooling and large families thrown into the mix. In a unique style, all her own, Ms Havig brings you into what it would be like raising 8 children that were not your own along with dealing with moving and evil grandmothers.
November 20, 2020
This had a pretty slow start to me. I am always intimidated anyway with a book that has a list of characters at the beginning, I am not great at keeping a bunch of people straight. I was reading on the Kindle (which I don't recommend if you need to keep up with the characters), and I was confused because baby Ian is not listed as a character, even though he is there at the beginning of the book. I am glad that I did not give up on it, as it got much more interesting. A lot happens in this book, there are moments of humor and intense moments as well. Overall I liked the book, but the ending felt a bit abrupt too. I know that the story continues, so I guess that is why there is not a clear ending. This was my first time reading this author and will read more from her. I would recommend this book for anyone who likes clean fiction novels.
June 2, 2023
Aggie's sister and brother-in-law are killed in a car crash, and Aggie finds herself the guardian of their 8 children. She has just finished college and has no earthly clue as to parenting. This delightful, humorous novel is simply enchanting to read as Aggie makes her way through the minefield of coping with 8 children from the a young baby to a preteen. Add to that, a move to an old house that needs to be renovated, finding a car big enough to haul 9 people and groceries, and in-laws who think they should be the guardians, and everything spells calamity until 2 handsome men decide to help Aggie with her myriad of problems.
Well written, absolutely enjoyable Christian rom-com novel. I look forward to reading the other 3 in this series.
Well written, absolutely enjoyable Christian rom-com novel. I look forward to reading the other 3 in this series.
November 16, 2013
Totally loved this book. It may be due to reading a book when I was in grade school about a family of children who lost their parents and did all they could to stay together and not get pulled apart in foster care. This author just pulls into wishing for the best for this young woman and the responsibility thrust upon her. With the good advice she is given, it seems to me to be a good book for a prospective mother to read. Looking forward to the sequel.
May 3, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. I really loved Aggie and her family. Review coming soon!
February 4, 2019
Curse you, Amazon, for making this sound a lot better than it really was.
I decided to give this book a whirl because it was available on kindle unlimited and related to enough of the other titles that I'd already read that it came up in the suggestions and it sounded good. I was hoping for a Cheaper by the Dozen rosy glow to things. I was to be heavily disappointed.
It was dreadful.
I should have known things weren't going to get better when I opened to the cast of characters, read it, and started reading only to discover that the baby didn't make the character list. HOW DO YOU FORGET THAT ONE OF YOUR CHARACTERS EXISTS?
I was willing to forgive that. Except at separate points, the lead character mentions there being five kids, and another time nine. How do you forget how many kids you wrote?
Well. I forgave that for a time. But what I couldn't forgive was the flip-flopping back and forth between perspectives (generally told in third person by Aggie) where we'd be in Aggie's head and then we were unceremoniously yanked out and dunked in someone else's brain for a paragraph, and then back to Aggie's head. THAT IS GOING TO GIVE A HUMAN WHIPLASH.
Apparently that didn't bother too many people, because this steaming pile still has a lot of five star reviews.
I just got irritated by Aggie's inability to do anything. Why would anyone leave her in charge of any human when she sucks at taking care of herself?
And the "oh, woe is me, a house is so expensive. but sure, I want to buy a couple of horses" pissed me off. Girl. You obviously don't know how things work, because a horse is not the first thing I would think about when buying a house that needs to be rebuilt.
And the constant need to inform us as to how Aggie looks. No thanks. I'll pass.
It did grate on me also that Aggie sings hymns to go with her moods. I can't say that I'm innocent of ever randomly singing a hymn that gets stuck in my head, but it's 99% of the time something stupid like "lux venite" or "of the father's love begotten" where, yes, it's a hymn, but it's not blatantly bashing everyone over the head with it. I'm much more likely to be signing some song that I listened to on my way into work than a song that I haven't heard since high school, but strange things have been known to happen.
The other thing was the condescension of the humans that went "you know how that happens, right?" in response to Aggie's eight kids. -________- look. you don't have to be perfect to be a perfect parent, but you also shouldn't be a douchebag. And you also shouldn't write all of these parents as douchebags just because eight kids is a lot of kids.
OH YEAH. there was a point when the one kid was running a fever, it was noticed by someone other than stupid Aggie (in a whiplash moment), and then it was never thought of again. I was rather salty about that. I thought we'd get some action there where she had to rush the sprout to the hospital for running a dangerous temperature. Alas. It was like the author forgot that she'd even written about it.
What also irked me was that darling Aggie trusts this guy who found her a new vehicle after about thirty seconds of knowing him. *rolls eyes* whatever.
I have a few more points before I'm finished, so bear with me.
The one Grandma was a total bitch. And it was frustrating.
I don't even know where this book takes place. The names are all Scottish (or thereabouts). I swear I read the word "state" in one portion.
The money. It's almost as if the characters anticipated dying young. They left everything in other human's names, left giant ass insurance policies. They willed the kids to Aggie about twelve times.
Aggie doesn't have a job. That just bothered me, because she's kind of a useless tosser, I would have expected her to have some form of occupation besides the sprouts. Insurance money (it's apparently enough for twenty years. Wish I had that kind of money just lying around. I'd rent the kids out to a baby sitter and leave for a week in Italy) is going to run out at some point. Wouldn't it be better if she at least was adding to the savings?
I still don't understand why anyone would leave their children to a girl like Aggie. She doesn't exactly seem like the sharpest tool in the shed.
And, one more thing. I swear it contradicted itself by saying that she'd not seen her sister's house and didn't know that she had money, but that the sisters were close. Maybe it's a contradiction only in my brain, but it seemed sketch. Like. Why wouldn't the sisters at least share that information if they were close? Or any information about the indomitable bitch of a mother-in-law? SOMETHING. GOD. It was annoying.
And so, I didn't finish it, but I was disgusted enough that I felt I ought to rate it. Anything to detract from those horrid glowing 5-star reviews.
I decided to give this book a whirl because it was available on kindle unlimited and related to enough of the other titles that I'd already read that it came up in the suggestions and it sounded good. I was hoping for a Cheaper by the Dozen rosy glow to things. I was to be heavily disappointed.
It was dreadful.
I should have known things weren't going to get better when I opened to the cast of characters, read it, and started reading only to discover that the baby didn't make the character list. HOW DO YOU FORGET THAT ONE OF YOUR CHARACTERS EXISTS?
I was willing to forgive that. Except at separate points, the lead character mentions there being five kids, and another time nine. How do you forget how many kids you wrote?
Well. I forgave that for a time. But what I couldn't forgive was the flip-flopping back and forth between perspectives (generally told in third person by Aggie) where we'd be in Aggie's head and then we were unceremoniously yanked out and dunked in someone else's brain for a paragraph, and then back to Aggie's head. THAT IS GOING TO GIVE A HUMAN WHIPLASH.
Apparently that didn't bother too many people, because this steaming pile still has a lot of five star reviews.
I just got irritated by Aggie's inability to do anything. Why would anyone leave her in charge of any human when she sucks at taking care of herself?
And the "oh, woe is me, a house is so expensive. but sure, I want to buy a couple of horses" pissed me off. Girl. You obviously don't know how things work, because a horse is not the first thing I would think about when buying a house that needs to be rebuilt.
And the constant need to inform us as to how Aggie looks. No thanks. I'll pass.
It did grate on me also that Aggie sings hymns to go with her moods. I can't say that I'm innocent of ever randomly singing a hymn that gets stuck in my head, but it's 99% of the time something stupid like "lux venite" or "of the father's love begotten" where, yes, it's a hymn, but it's not blatantly bashing everyone over the head with it. I'm much more likely to be signing some song that I listened to on my way into work than a song that I haven't heard since high school, but strange things have been known to happen.
The other thing was the condescension of the humans that went "you know how that happens, right?" in response to Aggie's eight kids. -________- look. you don't have to be perfect to be a perfect parent, but you also shouldn't be a douchebag. And you also shouldn't write all of these parents as douchebags just because eight kids is a lot of kids.
OH YEAH. there was a point when the one kid was running a fever, it was noticed by someone other than stupid Aggie (in a whiplash moment), and then it was never thought of again. I was rather salty about that. I thought we'd get some action there where she had to rush the sprout to the hospital for running a dangerous temperature. Alas. It was like the author forgot that she'd even written about it.
What also irked me was that darling Aggie trusts this guy who found her a new vehicle after about thirty seconds of knowing him. *rolls eyes* whatever.
I have a few more points before I'm finished, so bear with me.
The one Grandma was a total bitch. And it was frustrating.
I don't even know where this book takes place. The names are all Scottish (or thereabouts). I swear I read the word "state" in one portion.
The money. It's almost as if the characters anticipated dying young. They left everything in other human's names, left giant ass insurance policies. They willed the kids to Aggie about twelve times.
Aggie doesn't have a job. That just bothered me, because she's kind of a useless tosser, I would have expected her to have some form of occupation besides the sprouts. Insurance money (it's apparently enough for twenty years. Wish I had that kind of money just lying around. I'd rent the kids out to a baby sitter and leave for a week in Italy) is going to run out at some point. Wouldn't it be better if she at least was adding to the savings?
I still don't understand why anyone would leave their children to a girl like Aggie. She doesn't exactly seem like the sharpest tool in the shed.
And, one more thing. I swear it contradicted itself by saying that she'd not seen her sister's house and didn't know that she had money, but that the sisters were close. Maybe it's a contradiction only in my brain, but it seemed sketch. Like. Why wouldn't the sisters at least share that information if they were close? Or any information about the indomitable bitch of a mother-in-law? SOMETHING. GOD. It was annoying.
And so, I didn't finish it, but I was disgusted enough that I felt I ought to rate it. Anything to detract from those horrid glowing 5-star reviews.
June 28, 2012
Interview I did with the author of this book:
Welcome to Cindy's Book Reviews (CBR) Chautona, tell us a bit about yourself.
*taps mic*
I am Chautona and I love to write..
Chautona... yeah. The name. Probably should explain that. It is my real name. It is not "Native American" or French and I am not "African American." It is 100%, totally adulterated, Okie. I was named after apartments in Bakersfield California. Yeah. Born in Oklahoma to an Okie father. Doesn't get much more Okie than that. Just sayin'.
It's Shuh-TONE-uh. If it matters to you. It seems to be important to some people... the rest could care less. I'm good either way. I live in California's Mojave Desert, 90 miles from any decent shopping. Since I hate to shop, this doesn't bother me in the least.
I'm married to Kevin, a computer scientist with the DOD... thank you for paying your taxes. I have nine children and three grandchildren (ok, I've got the world's greatest son-in-law too). Yes they're all ours, we had them the old fashioned way... one at a time... no twins... no we're not Mormon, no we're not Catholic, no we didn't have a TV for 18 years of our marriage, and yes, as a matter of fact, we did drive a school bus (Gave it away a couple of years ago and bought 2 cars. Yippee). My thanks to Rick Boyer who inspired that little ditty.
I sew, smock, make cards, and spend several hours a day writing. I'm a bit obsessed with writing. Just sayin'.
*steps away from mic, stumbles, picks self up off the floor, dusts self off, laughs at self, slinks away before I do anything else mortifying*
Your latest book Ready or Not is now on Amazon (free download at this date), tell the CBR readers a bit about your book?
(If it matters, it's not my latest book... I'm just promoting Ready or Not as a prelude to my new book release this summer)
Ready or Not is Murphy's Law as a novel. It started with a question. What happens if a 22 year old recent college grad becomes an insta-mom... to eight children?
After the tragic death of her sister and brother-in-law, Aggie finds herself flung into the role of "mommy-aunt." With no real experience with children, her life becomes a series of trials... and errors. A crazy grandmother-in-law, new house in need of remodel, and a pair of twins determined to give her gray hair before she reaches 23, Aggie has her work cut out for her.
In this first book of the Aggie's Inheritance Series, Aggie learns the ropes of that rewarding and wacky world some like to call "mothering."
How long have you been writing?
How cliche is it if I say "all my life?" It's partly true, however for the first 30 years of that life, I wrote mostly in my mind, spinning stories as a way to put me to sleep or to keep me occupied as on long trips across the western half of the US. I'd sit in the back of our Chevy S-10 pickup, ensconced in what we liked to call an "Okie camper" (refrigerator box dumped in the bed), singing, telling myself tales, and dreaming of the day I lived in a little yellow cottage writing all day with my collie "Shep" at my feet.
And because you are a new author to the CBR blog, tell us a bit about your genre that you write in, I have the book downloaded and will be reading it myself soon, but please just share a bit.
I write primarily contemporary Christian fiction. Most of my books are interconnected stories centered around my fictional metropolis of "Rockland" that is on the eastern side of the midwest somewhere. The Aggie's Inheritance Series fits into the Rockland Chronicles, but the other two books in print there are not necessary to read before Ready or Not. However, this series should be read in order. This summer's release, "Thirty Days Hath..." is another book in the Chronicles, but isn't a sequel to anything.
I also write youth fiction. My Annals of Wynnewood series is medieval fantasy that takes place in Northern England in the mid thirteenth century. It is mostly historically accurate, but I took liberties in the name of "fantasy." I wanted a series that had all the appeal of most fantasy without "magical elements" that many parents object to. Dove is one of my favorite characters.
Also in that genre, I have the "Not-So-Fairy Tales." Princess Paisley is kind of a spoof on the traditional fairytale and written with a bit of a sarcastic narrator style. The second book in that "series" (again, loosely connected) is also releasing this summer.
Oh, and I have a futuristic sci-fi book, an adult semi-fantasy, historical-- let's just say I'm eclectic, shall we?
Also the titles of your other books?
The Rockland Chronicles includes:
Noble Pursuits (a man on the hunt for a "traditional wife")
Argosy Junction (a church-turned cult drives a family away from the Lord and an inner city man shows them their faith again)
-- Ready or Not
-- For Keeps
-- Here We Come
Thirty Days Hath... (Coming Summer 2012)
The Annals of Wynnewood includes:
Shadows & Secrets
Cloaked in Secrets
Beneath the Cloak
The Not-So-Fairy Tales includes:
Princess Paisley
Everard (coming Summer 2012)
What made you want to be an author?
Picture it: Summer 1982. Ventura, California. The salt breeze flows through my bedroom. Mom has just given me a new book to read-- a new OLD book. "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn." I devour it between bites of pickle (inspired by the book), cookies (also inspired by the book), and milk (not so much by the book.) Then it happens.
Heroine Francie Nolan is in class just before Thanksgiving. Her teacher has a tiny little pie she's offering to anyone who wants it. No student will overcome their pride and beg. Finally, Francie raises her hand and says she wants it for someone else. Of course, she eats it on the way home. Monday the teacher asks... "How did they like it?" She spins a tale of two twin girls whose lives were saved from starvation by that tiny little pie. The teacher suggests it is a bit improbable and Francie confesses.
I remember the swell of my throat, the pounding of my heart-- all of it as I read the brilliant lines spoken by that teacher. "Tell what happened; write what should have happened." Finally, someone understood why I hated the truth. I hated lies just as much, but truth bothered me and of course, it bothered me that truth bothered me! This explained it. I wanted to tell "what should have happened." I think that's the day I knew I didn't just want to write-- I NEEDED to write.
Tell us one or two things that might surprise your book readers about yourself.
Um... I'm a homeschool mom who hates homeschooling.
In regards to writing, it takes every ounce of ... SOMETHING... in me to add "romance" of any kind to my books. The funny thing is, the harder it is for me to do it, the better written I think it is. I get nervous when it's easier than usual. I put it away and come back a few days later. And hit the delete button every time. It's always pathetic unless I am emotionally wrung and physically exhausted just trying to hint that a kiss might have happened. As you can imagine, my husband and I are not naturally romantical sorts. Yes, not romantic with nine children. Laugh now. I did.
Where can CBR readers learn more about you?
Well, I'm all over the internet.
Website: chautona.com
Twitter: @chautona
Facebook:
ŷ:
LibraryThing:
And where are your books available for purchase?
You can purchase them from me (happy to sign upon request) or from Amazon.com or BarnesandNoble.com Local bookstores can order them with an isbn number. Our local store caries them because they love me-- or at least let me think they do. :)
Thank you for joining us at CBR, we love new authors here, just one last thought before you go, what do you hope your readers walk away from with your books? What is the idea/concept/faith issue etc you hope the book promotes?
I strive to write about average people with genuine problems, and how they strive to live their lives to the glory of God. Some of their methods are unconventional, and their situations aren't pristine and free from the taint of sin in this world, but all care more about serving the Lord and each other than obtaining some Utopian ideal. Or, much more succinctly:
FAITH, without apology., without pretense, lived not preached.
Welcome to Cindy's Book Reviews (CBR) Chautona, tell us a bit about yourself.
*taps mic*
I am Chautona and I love to write..
Chautona... yeah. The name. Probably should explain that. It is my real name. It is not "Native American" or French and I am not "African American." It is 100%, totally adulterated, Okie. I was named after apartments in Bakersfield California. Yeah. Born in Oklahoma to an Okie father. Doesn't get much more Okie than that. Just sayin'.
It's Shuh-TONE-uh. If it matters to you. It seems to be important to some people... the rest could care less. I'm good either way. I live in California's Mojave Desert, 90 miles from any decent shopping. Since I hate to shop, this doesn't bother me in the least.
I'm married to Kevin, a computer scientist with the DOD... thank you for paying your taxes. I have nine children and three grandchildren (ok, I've got the world's greatest son-in-law too). Yes they're all ours, we had them the old fashioned way... one at a time... no twins... no we're not Mormon, no we're not Catholic, no we didn't have a TV for 18 years of our marriage, and yes, as a matter of fact, we did drive a school bus (Gave it away a couple of years ago and bought 2 cars. Yippee). My thanks to Rick Boyer who inspired that little ditty.
I sew, smock, make cards, and spend several hours a day writing. I'm a bit obsessed with writing. Just sayin'.
*steps away from mic, stumbles, picks self up off the floor, dusts self off, laughs at self, slinks away before I do anything else mortifying*
Your latest book Ready or Not is now on Amazon (free download at this date), tell the CBR readers a bit about your book?
(If it matters, it's not my latest book... I'm just promoting Ready or Not as a prelude to my new book release this summer)
Ready or Not is Murphy's Law as a novel. It started with a question. What happens if a 22 year old recent college grad becomes an insta-mom... to eight children?
After the tragic death of her sister and brother-in-law, Aggie finds herself flung into the role of "mommy-aunt." With no real experience with children, her life becomes a series of trials... and errors. A crazy grandmother-in-law, new house in need of remodel, and a pair of twins determined to give her gray hair before she reaches 23, Aggie has her work cut out for her.
In this first book of the Aggie's Inheritance Series, Aggie learns the ropes of that rewarding and wacky world some like to call "mothering."
How long have you been writing?
How cliche is it if I say "all my life?" It's partly true, however for the first 30 years of that life, I wrote mostly in my mind, spinning stories as a way to put me to sleep or to keep me occupied as on long trips across the western half of the US. I'd sit in the back of our Chevy S-10 pickup, ensconced in what we liked to call an "Okie camper" (refrigerator box dumped in the bed), singing, telling myself tales, and dreaming of the day I lived in a little yellow cottage writing all day with my collie "Shep" at my feet.
And because you are a new author to the CBR blog, tell us a bit about your genre that you write in, I have the book downloaded and will be reading it myself soon, but please just share a bit.
I write primarily contemporary Christian fiction. Most of my books are interconnected stories centered around my fictional metropolis of "Rockland" that is on the eastern side of the midwest somewhere. The Aggie's Inheritance Series fits into the Rockland Chronicles, but the other two books in print there are not necessary to read before Ready or Not. However, this series should be read in order. This summer's release, "Thirty Days Hath..." is another book in the Chronicles, but isn't a sequel to anything.
I also write youth fiction. My Annals of Wynnewood series is medieval fantasy that takes place in Northern England in the mid thirteenth century. It is mostly historically accurate, but I took liberties in the name of "fantasy." I wanted a series that had all the appeal of most fantasy without "magical elements" that many parents object to. Dove is one of my favorite characters.
Also in that genre, I have the "Not-So-Fairy Tales." Princess Paisley is kind of a spoof on the traditional fairytale and written with a bit of a sarcastic narrator style. The second book in that "series" (again, loosely connected) is also releasing this summer.
Oh, and I have a futuristic sci-fi book, an adult semi-fantasy, historical-- let's just say I'm eclectic, shall we?
Also the titles of your other books?
The Rockland Chronicles includes:
Noble Pursuits (a man on the hunt for a "traditional wife")
Argosy Junction (a church-turned cult drives a family away from the Lord and an inner city man shows them their faith again)
-- Ready or Not
-- For Keeps
-- Here We Come
Thirty Days Hath... (Coming Summer 2012)
The Annals of Wynnewood includes:
Shadows & Secrets
Cloaked in Secrets
Beneath the Cloak
The Not-So-Fairy Tales includes:
Princess Paisley
Everard (coming Summer 2012)
What made you want to be an author?
Picture it: Summer 1982. Ventura, California. The salt breeze flows through my bedroom. Mom has just given me a new book to read-- a new OLD book. "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn." I devour it between bites of pickle (inspired by the book), cookies (also inspired by the book), and milk (not so much by the book.) Then it happens.
Heroine Francie Nolan is in class just before Thanksgiving. Her teacher has a tiny little pie she's offering to anyone who wants it. No student will overcome their pride and beg. Finally, Francie raises her hand and says she wants it for someone else. Of course, she eats it on the way home. Monday the teacher asks... "How did they like it?" She spins a tale of two twin girls whose lives were saved from starvation by that tiny little pie. The teacher suggests it is a bit improbable and Francie confesses.
I remember the swell of my throat, the pounding of my heart-- all of it as I read the brilliant lines spoken by that teacher. "Tell what happened; write what should have happened." Finally, someone understood why I hated the truth. I hated lies just as much, but truth bothered me and of course, it bothered me that truth bothered me! This explained it. I wanted to tell "what should have happened." I think that's the day I knew I didn't just want to write-- I NEEDED to write.
Tell us one or two things that might surprise your book readers about yourself.
Um... I'm a homeschool mom who hates homeschooling.
In regards to writing, it takes every ounce of ... SOMETHING... in me to add "romance" of any kind to my books. The funny thing is, the harder it is for me to do it, the better written I think it is. I get nervous when it's easier than usual. I put it away and come back a few days later. And hit the delete button every time. It's always pathetic unless I am emotionally wrung and physically exhausted just trying to hint that a kiss might have happened. As you can imagine, my husband and I are not naturally romantical sorts. Yes, not romantic with nine children. Laugh now. I did.
Where can CBR readers learn more about you?
Well, I'm all over the internet.
Website: chautona.com
Twitter: @chautona
Facebook:
ŷ:
LibraryThing:
And where are your books available for purchase?
You can purchase them from me (happy to sign upon request) or from Amazon.com or BarnesandNoble.com Local bookstores can order them with an isbn number. Our local store caries them because they love me-- or at least let me think they do. :)
Thank you for joining us at CBR, we love new authors here, just one last thought before you go, what do you hope your readers walk away from with your books? What is the idea/concept/faith issue etc you hope the book promotes?
I strive to write about average people with genuine problems, and how they strive to live their lives to the glory of God. Some of their methods are unconventional, and their situations aren't pristine and free from the taint of sin in this world, but all care more about serving the Lord and each other than obtaining some Utopian ideal. Or, much more succinctly:
FAITH, without apology., without pretense, lived not preached.
September 15, 2018
Twenty-two-year-old Aggie Milliken has suddenly found herself guardian to her sister’s eight children after that sister and husband die as result of a motor vehicle collision. The author provides a cast of characters, the children:
Vannie (Vanora) Stuart: 12 years at the start of the series.
Laird Stuart: 10 years at the start of the series.
Ellie (Elspeth) Stuart: 8 years old at the start series and twin to Tavish.
Tavish Stuart: 8 years old at the start of the series and twin to Ellie.
Kenzie (MacKenzie) Stuart: 5 years old at the start of the series.
Lorna Stuart:Almost 3 years old at the start of the series and twin to Cari.
Cari (Cairistonia) Stuart: Almost 3 years old at the start of the series and identical twin to Lorna.
and forgets to mention baby Ian still in diapers.
Basic Premise:Twenty-two-year-old Aunt Agie learns how to be a mother. Eight children would challenge any parents, a single parent? Two sets of twins one identical.
She moves them out of the “mother-in-law’s� house into a fixer-upper. There she discovers two white knights: William, the sheriff’s deputy and Zeke’s nephew Luke, the handyman.
She also discovers that ordering out for pizza may be a college student’s nirvana but not an appropriate diet for her brood. Her meal planning skills are as lacking as her cooking skills plus she identifies the impossibility of shopping with eight children. Home shopping and delivery would be ideal.
The characters seem to lift off the page. The quiet, efficient, ultra-observant Luke who takes his time to consider what he’s about to say before he opens his mouth. William, the Sheriff’s Deputy best described as an introvert doing an extrovert job. Authoritarian in uniform but reticent in social situations. And the classic live-alone busybody, Mrs. Dyke who misses nothing with her binoculars.
Most of the main characters attend an evangelical church and spout Bible Verses. Agie sings Gospel Hymns to relieve her stress.
A potential love triangle looms.
In a house that age I’d be concerned about lead in all that paint they’re stipping.
And there’s the mystery of what malevolent spirit haunts the house for William.
Be aware that there are at least 3 more volumes in the series.
Vannie (Vanora) Stuart: 12 years at the start of the series.
Laird Stuart: 10 years at the start of the series.
Ellie (Elspeth) Stuart: 8 years old at the start series and twin to Tavish.
Tavish Stuart: 8 years old at the start of the series and twin to Ellie.
Kenzie (MacKenzie) Stuart: 5 years old at the start of the series.
Lorna Stuart:Almost 3 years old at the start of the series and twin to Cari.
Cari (Cairistonia) Stuart: Almost 3 years old at the start of the series and identical twin to Lorna.
and forgets to mention baby Ian still in diapers.
Basic Premise:Twenty-two-year-old Aunt Agie learns how to be a mother. Eight children would challenge any parents, a single parent? Two sets of twins one identical.
She moves them out of the “mother-in-law’s� house into a fixer-upper. There she discovers two white knights: William, the sheriff’s deputy and Zeke’s nephew Luke, the handyman.
She also discovers that ordering out for pizza may be a college student’s nirvana but not an appropriate diet for her brood. Her meal planning skills are as lacking as her cooking skills plus she identifies the impossibility of shopping with eight children. Home shopping and delivery would be ideal.
The characters seem to lift off the page. The quiet, efficient, ultra-observant Luke who takes his time to consider what he’s about to say before he opens his mouth. William, the Sheriff’s Deputy best described as an introvert doing an extrovert job. Authoritarian in uniform but reticent in social situations. And the classic live-alone busybody, Mrs. Dyke who misses nothing with her binoculars.
Most of the main characters attend an evangelical church and spout Bible Verses. Agie sings Gospel Hymns to relieve her stress.
A potential love triangle looms.
In a house that age I’d be concerned about lead in all that paint they’re stipping.
And there’s the mystery of what malevolent spirit haunts the house for William.
Be aware that there are at least 3 more volumes in the series.
July 7, 2019
I liked this book and its ramble-y style. Though I'm not fond of head-hopping and this had a fair amount of it, I still finished and enjoyed the story.
There are quite a few characters in this book and the list at the front was overwhelming, so I skipped it and dove right in. Each character has their own personality and the characterization is good throughout, so I never felt the need to look back at the list.
I didn't love Aggie. While I understand completely how she could be overwhelmed, it took over half the book for that to rein in and by then, it was too late. I'd already determined that it was only the exceptional parenting of her sister that kept this from becoming Lord of the Flies. There were points when it seemed like (especially at the end) when Aggie wanted nothing else but to work on her house and pawn the kids off to anyone else. That may have just been my perception. However, it just goes to show how good Chautona is at writing a character (even one I don't like) if I'm ascribing real reactions to her and the other characters.
I love the descriptions of the scenes. I love how we can see the laundry pile with the haphazardly hung basketball hoop above it. I love how we see the muddy footprints and feel the frustration of mopping the floor...yet again. What mom hasn't felt that?
I love that this was just an everyday story and the beginning of every chapter felt a bit like a journal entry with the date atop. I do with the heroine was more of an actual heroine and the hero was more pronounced. I get that we are supposed to pick sides, then read the next book, but that lack made it feel like women's fiction to me, which I don't normally read. I'm just a romance kind of girl. All in all, a solid four stars.
There are quite a few characters in this book and the list at the front was overwhelming, so I skipped it and dove right in. Each character has their own personality and the characterization is good throughout, so I never felt the need to look back at the list.
I didn't love Aggie. While I understand completely how she could be overwhelmed, it took over half the book for that to rein in and by then, it was too late. I'd already determined that it was only the exceptional parenting of her sister that kept this from becoming Lord of the Flies. There were points when it seemed like (especially at the end) when Aggie wanted nothing else but to work on her house and pawn the kids off to anyone else. That may have just been my perception. However, it just goes to show how good Chautona is at writing a character (even one I don't like) if I'm ascribing real reactions to her and the other characters.
I love the descriptions of the scenes. I love how we can see the laundry pile with the haphazardly hung basketball hoop above it. I love how we see the muddy footprints and feel the frustration of mopping the floor...yet again. What mom hasn't felt that?
I love that this was just an everyday story and the beginning of every chapter felt a bit like a journal entry with the date atop. I do with the heroine was more of an actual heroine and the hero was more pronounced. I get that we are supposed to pick sides, then read the next book, but that lack made it feel like women's fiction to me, which I don't normally read. I'm just a romance kind of girl. All in all, a solid four stars.
January 20, 2020
Kindle freebie. Just okay. I like clean books, but this one was so clean it squeaked. It is lovely that these single adults were all very chaste, but there was an unnatural lack of interest, while at the same time a bit of a vague interest triangle (too absent to be called a love triangle) between Aggie and her two male friends/helpers. Lots of things I wanted to like about the book, but so much rubbed me the wrong way, from the weird names to the sudden but deep connections Aggie seemed to make with everyone she met to her being a tired an overwhelmed new “mother� of eight grieving children, yet she is practically perfect in every way.
Also, I get that this was the first book in a series, but there should have been some sort of closure. We are left hanging with an unfinished house, uncertain romantic future, no resolution with hysterical grandmother, nothing. Here’s the thing, though. I don’t care enough about these unrealistic people to read on in the series.
Also, I get that this was the first book in a series, but there should have been some sort of closure. We are left hanging with an unfinished house, uncertain romantic future, no resolution with hysterical grandmother, nothing. Here’s the thing, though. I don’t care enough about these unrealistic people to read on in the series.
November 4, 2018
Not ready for it to end!!!
Loved Loved Loved this story!!!! Starting with the cover. Loving the simplicity of it, yet it was perfect for what was behind it. All the way to about 100 pages before the end, I started to dread the coming words "The End."
This author has such a way to draw you into the pages, and tells things so well that you can feel it. There are many scenes that make you laugh, some drama, deals with hard topics and tough issues. But it does so, in a Godly manner, and doesn't leave you feeling like you're weighted down.
This story would make a great weekly tv series, if they would stay close to her original plot and theme.
Surely am going to miss the folks in "Ready or Not." Oh wait!!! There are more books in this series!!! Yay!!!
Loved Loved Loved this story!!!! Starting with the cover. Loving the simplicity of it, yet it was perfect for what was behind it. All the way to about 100 pages before the end, I started to dread the coming words "The End."
This author has such a way to draw you into the pages, and tells things so well that you can feel it. There are many scenes that make you laugh, some drama, deals with hard topics and tough issues. But it does so, in a Godly manner, and doesn't leave you feeling like you're weighted down.
This story would make a great weekly tv series, if they would stay close to her original plot and theme.
Surely am going to miss the folks in "Ready or Not." Oh wait!!! There are more books in this series!!! Yay!!!
October 11, 2020
Ready or Not
This is part one is the saga of twenty two year old Aggie's new life. After the death of her sister and brother in law, Aggie is now guardian to her eight nerves and nephews, yes eight. She has the spirit of a saint when confronted with her sister's mother in law from hell. And the children who are having issues of their own. In the new family there are two sets of twins. Ages are 12, 10, 8, 3 and three months old. This is the first in this saga. I started reading the second book and realized I needed to read this one first. Can't wait to get the rest (last) book.
This is part one is the saga of twenty two year old Aggie's new life. After the death of her sister and brother in law, Aggie is now guardian to her eight nerves and nephews, yes eight. She has the spirit of a saint when confronted with her sister's mother in law from hell. And the children who are having issues of their own. In the new family there are two sets of twins. Ages are 12, 10, 8, 3 and three months old. This is the first in this saga. I started reading the second book and realized I needed to read this one first. Can't wait to get the rest (last) book.
October 3, 2021
First read by this author
At the beginning I was overwhelmed by seemingly having fallen into a chaotic mess with "a cast of thousands!" Not that many but more than I could keep up with at first. It got easier as the children sorted out. Eight children are "inherited" by 22 year old Aggie when her sister & brother-in-law are killed in a car wreck. What ensues is a whirlwind of activity and ordered chaos. A good book that I would recommend. The text messages between Aggie & her parents needed editing, though. There were a number of other editing errors but not enough to make it unreadable. I will read the others in this series.
At the beginning I was overwhelmed by seemingly having fallen into a chaotic mess with "a cast of thousands!" Not that many but more than I could keep up with at first. It got easier as the children sorted out. Eight children are "inherited" by 22 year old Aggie when her sister & brother-in-law are killed in a car wreck. What ensues is a whirlwind of activity and ordered chaos. A good book that I would recommend. The text messages between Aggie & her parents needed editing, though. There were a number of other editing errors but not enough to make it unreadable. I will read the others in this series.
August 31, 2020
Loving, quirky family
I enjoyed this book. It is a long book, and it took a while for me to really get into it. I likes Aggie, but I was expecting her to be a different character than she turned out to be. It also took awhile to sort out the right children. I don't think I have their personalities all sorted yet.
I look forward to reading more of Aggie's Inheritance series to learn more about how the children grow and how they depend on God to get them through life.
I enjoyed this book. It is a long book, and it took a while for me to really get into it. I likes Aggie, but I was expecting her to be a different character than she turned out to be. It also took awhile to sort out the right children. I don't think I have their personalities all sorted yet.
I look forward to reading more of Aggie's Inheritance series to learn more about how the children grow and how they depend on God to get them through life.
March 16, 2025
2.5 ⭐️ rounded down this review bc that is more accurate but giving it 2.5 based off the potential of the plot. The storyline had so much potential, but sadly the author is pretty choppy and the writing lacks depth. I missed the vivid details from previously read books. The end felt like it just dropped off and abruptly came to an end. Also, didn’t care for the ending in general. So much potential but not executed well in my opinion. Typos as well in the story like “okat� instead of okay.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 2, 2018
Ebook, part of a series
Her sister and brother in law are killed, she’s becomes the guardian of eight children at 22. Trying to figure out how to parent, grieve , and fight off a vicious grandmother becomes her life. With Gods help and wonderful friends things start to become better
Her sister and brother in law are killed, she’s becomes the guardian of eight children at 22. Trying to figure out how to parent, grieve , and fight off a vicious grandmother becomes her life. With Gods help and wonderful friends things start to become better
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