Gobsmacked by LB Gregg

Gobsmacked by L.B. Gregg

When you have a friend write a book you are naturally excited and supportive of their new adventure. I know I was. By the time I met Lisabea last year at RWA, I sort of knew from her blog that she was writing, but I didn't really know. Ya know?

Anyway, shortly after meeting her she clues me in that she's writing M/M and getting ready to submit. A big part of the reason she went to RWA was to network and pitch her book. How cool was that? Very. I was equal parts fascinated and excited while watching her navigate new and scary waters in an endeavor to get her book published.

It wasn't long after coming home from the conference that I got word from Lb that her first book, GOBSMACKED, was going to be published. Now, a good friend would have been worried about lots of things that had to do with their friend's new challenges. Sadly, I have to admit that most of my worry early on was all about, uh...me.

The little hamster on the wheel of my brain kept thinking things like, what if I don't like it? Most everyone knows I adore Lb, but what if I didn't like her book? Could I tell her? Would she be angry if I didn't like it? Would I have the nerve to tell her I didn't like it? If I told her, would our fledgling friendship be over? Sounds like a soap opera, doesn't it?

Fortunately, all that angst was for naught.

You've never seen such a relieved and happy person as I was reading the last page of GOBSMACKED. Grinning I was. I immediately called Lb to tell her how relieved I was the book was good. Yep. That's what I said. "Lb! I'm so relieved your book is good!" What a friend huh?

GOBSMACKED takes place in the small New England town of Smithfield. I love Smithfield. I want to live in Smithfield. Lb somehow makes it seem nice even during the cold and blustery winter when the story takes place. It seems like an idyllic place to live. Sure, people know your business, but they also care about you. *cue music*

"You wanna go where people know,
people are all the same,
You wanna go where everybody knows
your name."

This story is character driven, which is something I've mentioned many times as one of my favorite things about a book. These are real people with messy lives. They aren't perfect. They make mistakes. This story follows Mark who is breaking up with Jamie, and Tony the local resident cop or 'Trooper', as Lb refers to him. Interesting men, good looking, messed up and so very, very human.

I've read this novella twice now. I've found different things that delight me each time. It's a quick easy read and once you start it, you don't want to put it down. I know I didn't.

Yes, we all know I love Lb, but I'm absolutely delighted to tell you, this is a good book. You should read it. You won't be sorry you did.

My grade = B+