EIGHT DAYS A WEEK by AMBER L JOHNSON

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Reviewed by Jenny & Gitte

J&G:  ✯✯✯✯  Stars

‘What would Tony Danza Do?’

J&G:  If you’re looking for a heart-warmingly funny book that will give you the warm and fuzzies, then look no further than Eight Days A Week.

‘What was it about this woman that made me want to take her upstairs and run a bath for her? Brush her hair and hum her to sleep?’

Our hearts swelled! We loved this story and found ourselves constantly texting each other funny lines throughout and discussing the story through ahhh’s and giggles after finishing.

Despite a couple of reservations, what really stood out for us at the end was the absolute warmth of the story and how genuine the characters felt. Gwen, Dee and the children; Bree and Brady were absolutely mesmerising and as well as funny moments, there were moments that made us swoon and moments that made us clutch our hearts. Seriously, could Dee and those children –their relationship – get any sweeter and more lovable?

‘I offered what I hoped was a kid-friendly smile, but I was sure I looked like some creepy-ass old guy.’

Amber L Johnson captured it all perfectly. We could really relate to her take on children’s shows…let’s face it, some of those are just out and out weird and she constantly had us exclaiming “that is so true” and giggling like crazy. We’ll also never look at a Hyundai in the same light again!

‘Tuesday: Watched two hours of Octonauts and Little Einsteins before I remembered the kids were at school.’

Andrew (Dee) is more of a child than the children he is “Mannying” for are and doesn’t this provide some really light and funny moments. He’s on their wavelength and his take on situations is humorous to say the least. We loved hearing his pov.

“You know what? That could be cool. You’d get paid to play with kids all day and go to the park. Hang out with lady nannies. Get some ass.”

We did have some issues with the story though. Starting with Andrew. When we meet this guy he’s emotionally closed off, doesn’t and hasn’t experienced love due to issues with his family and his past. Whatever it was that affected him so must have been pretty severe because the impact on Andrew is quite significant. The problem with this was that we never discovered the reasons for Andrew’s feelings. Not really.  There were many a time it was referred to and we eagerly awaited the revelation we expected to come but sadly it didn’t eventuate.

‘I didn’t want to face my father or his judgmental eyes. I didn’t want to see my mom look at me like she couldn’t figure out where she’d gone so wrong raising me.’

For some readers this might not be an issue, but we need to experience – to feel the emotional damage done to a character in order to experience that significant change in them.  It’s not enough to keep telling us they’re damaged. We need to be shown, not told and this made the difference between this being a 4 star instead of a 5 star read for us. There were a couple of inconsistencies with the story which left us scratching our head and at times it did become a little repetitive. We really wish some time had been spent on back stories for both Gwen and Andrew to enable us to garner a better understanding of the struggles that brought them to this point in their life hence affecting them and the possibility of a relationship. In saying that, although these were issues within the story that marred our read somewhat, at the end of the day, it will be the fun, the light-heartedness and the occasional moving moments that will remain in our book hearts because despite these issues, we really did enjoy Eight Days A Week immensely. It was definitely a feel good read!

‘I’d give all of them what they wanted. What they needed. Because it was what I wanted and needed, too.’

There were quite a lot of highlights that’s for sure. The Manny Log, the Hyundai (aka the Celibacy Wagon) references, the friends, the constant battle between Andrew and his sister, the interaction between Andrew and the children was priceless and a special mention HAS to go to Don! Don….there are no words! H.I.L.A.R.I.O.U.S!!!!

‘Don was ecstatic with her handshake.’

We have to say, this author is firmly cementing herself as one of our instant 1clicks. We were completely moved by the emotional impact in Puddle Jumping, we enjoyed the humour and warmth of Eight Days A Week and can’t wait to see what Amber L Johnson offers up next.

**Reviewed from an ARC copy provided by the author,  with thanks**

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Purchase your copy of EIGHT DAYS A WEEK here
AMAZON US || AMAZON UK || AMAZON AU

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Also be sure to check out:
PUDDLE JUMPING
A truly beautiful  and mesmerizing 5 star standalone read and only 99c/77p
(TB Review)
AMAZON US || AMAZON UK || AMAZON AU