Review of The Girl in the '67 Beetle by Linda Lenhoff

 

Welcome to the blurb blitz tour for The Girl in the '67 Beetle, a slightly different kind of contemporary romance by Linda Lenhoff. Get a sneak peek inside and I will also share my thoughts on this one. Check out the rest of the tour for even more. Leave your questions and comments along the way! Best of luck entering the giveaway!

The art director of Kids Press, Amy Shepherd has been assigned to reinvent the story of Goldilocks, and she finds her own life reflecting a similar tale. Will she fall for a man who’s a little too old (but exciting), a man who’s a little too young (but awfully exciting looking), or a man who’s just right, at least as far as her friends are concerned? Or will she bring Goldilocks’ story—and her own—up to date with a little help from high-technology and the Goldilocks Planet theory? Amy will have to decide how her own tale will end, all the while driving her beloved powder blue convertible through the streets of Santa Monica, where she has become known as the Girl in the ’67 Beetle, the only thing in her life that, so far at least, feels just right.

Read an excerpt:

Working at Kids Press in Santa Monica, California, does not mean that I have to wear primary colors or polka dot jumpers, but it does have its perks, one of them being that if I did show up in primary colors or a polka dot jumper, no one would much care. I am the Co-Director of Artistic Endeavors, according to my boss, a cheerful entrepreneur named Nelson. My title is even printed on my business cards, which I always forget to carry, maybe because they’re shaped like little artist’s palettes. There is of course another Co-Director of Artistic Endeavors named Chris (short for Christopher, which he doesn’t much like being called), who’s about my age. I have heard him use his full title when he answers his phone, saying “This is Chris, Co-Director of Artistic Endeavors.” Sometimes, he even adds, “What would you like to fingerpaint today?” He gets quite a few hang-ups, but maybe that’s his intent. I usually tell people I’m the co-art director and leave it at that. I leave most of the phone answering to Chris, anyway. It’s a thing with him.

“Ugh,” I hear from the front of the office, meaning our administrative assistant and all-around super helpful person, Kelly, has arrived. She’s about twenty-two and has blonde surfer girl looks she cannot stand about herself, which those of us whose blonde hair isn’t quite so light and shiny anymore just can’t understand. Kelly lives out in the Valley, and although it isn’t that far if you’re a bird flying directly—a big strong bird, say—it can take an age to get here on the cracked, hot freeway, given that every single other person in L.A. drives a car, too.

Buy on Amazon

(affiliate link)

**My thoughts**

This is not your typical contemporary romance novel. It's not as formulaic as so many out there. And as much as I love those Hallmark Movie-type books, having something a little different is a breath of fresh air. 

Amy is newly divorced and slowly reentering the dating world. She ends up with three of the most interesting men vying for her attention. Each one has his own charming qualities that makes him entertaining. I kind of went round and round a bit about which one I personally preferred, though there is one that I knew pretty much right off the bat wouldn't be my type. But it's not my decision. I also know that I need to have a first date like she has with Chester. Or at least find a similar venue. When you read it, you'll understand.

She's also trying to find herself again in her post-married life. Plus things are changing up at her job. I found the whole parallel concept of the Goldilocks Planet to be very interesting, as it applies to her personally as it does to the book on which she is working. It also gave me a lot to think about, being close to the same age and single.

I think this is the first main character who has resonated so much with me in a while. I just get her, quirks and all. And I enjoy the people she has around her in her life and wish her well in her final decision.

Thank you to the author and to Goddess Fish for providing me with a requested review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Linda Lenhoff has worked in publishing as a writer and editor for several years, having edited nearly everything from makeup techniques (apply blush up and over the “apples” of your cheeks) at Seventeen Magazine to migraine studies (cut back on that chocolate) at research institutes. She has earned an MFA in Creative.

Writing, and her next novel, *Your Actual Life May Vary, will be published in 2022. Linda lives in California’s Bay Area with her husband and daughter. Contact Linda at (925) 784-9393, lenhoff@informativity.com,

https://lindalattelessons.wordpress.com. Author photo by Haley Nelson.

Linda Lenhoff will be awarding one printed copy book or a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway