Jenn's Bookshelves

Are you afraid of damaging your paperback book? Or are you the secretive type and want to keep the book you are reading hidden from those around you? Well, the Hardbacker is the item for you!

A member of my book club introduced me to Hardbackers a few years ago. I’ve become hooked on this item since then! Hardbackers turn any paperback book into a hardback, without damaging the book. The covers are designed to extend the life of your book by protecting both the front and back covers. They come in a variety of sizes, ranging from trade paperback all the way up to college textbook size. They also come in sixteen different colors! My personal favorites are granite and brick.

I have three Hardbackers of my own. I constantly have a book in hand (or in my purse) and they were beginning to suffer the wear and tear a paperback gets after a good reading. Since using Hardbackers, my paperbacks have remained in the same pristine condition as they were when I purchased. In addition, I get a number of paperback ARCs that are often falling apart by the time I’ve finished reading them. I learned that the workbook size is the perfect fit for most ARCs. I’m so enamored by this product that I felt the need to share it with you all!

Charlie and Laura Rider have been married for twelve years. Their love for one another is apparent, but their relationship is a platonic one. Laura no longer has a sexual interest in Charlie. The problem isn’t Charlie; she simply has no interest in sex any longer. This arrangement has worked for them both, that is, until Jenna Faroli, a public radio star and Laura’s idol, moves into their small, quaint town. Charlie and Jenna happen to meet one day, and Laura sees the impact this meeting has on Charlie. She devises a plan. She’s always wanted to be a writer of romance. So, she uses this “relationship” that Charlie has with Jenna to showcase her writing skills. She convinces Charlie to start corresponding with Jenna via email. This email conversation is very tame to begin with, but when Laura begins to add a bit of her own intimate and romantic language, Jenna falls in love with the Charlie that is writing to her. Laura’s so obsessed with learning what the ideal woman wants in a man, she doesn’t realize she is practically hand-feeding her husband to Jenna. The relationship that ensues is a total surprise to all that are involved, including the reader. LAURA RIDER’S MASTERPIECE is yet another stellar piece of writing by Hamilton. The characters are dynamic and the storyline is compelling. I tried very hard not to hate Laura Rider’s character, but that was a difficult task. She seems to live most of her life in her own little writing world. I was astounded at her actions and her lack of emotion after learning about Charlie’s relationship with Jenna. All of this together produced a great piece of fiction!

Thanks to Miriam at Hachette for providing me with this book!