Ava's Place was a nice, light, summer read. The characters were likeable, the plot believable, and the settings were easy to imagine. I really liked the flow of the story, and found myself giving advice to Ava and Ford (only in my head of course), a true sign that I was getting into this book. Highly recommended to those who enjoy fairy tales and light romance.

This is a pleasant light read of a woman finding herself combined with a romance. Yes, it's pretty predictable: you know somehow things will work out for Ford and Ava but at the same time, Cogburn does a good job of keeping some tension not only in the situations they face but also the relationship. I liked the local color of New Orleans and the fact that Ava worked in newspapers. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Try this one for a relaxing read- no one is annoying and ultimately there's a happy ending!

Ava’s Place by Emily Beck Cogburn is a modern-day romance story. Ava Olson is thirty-five years old and the mother of three children (James, Luke and Sadie). Ava is raising the children on her own since her divorce. Her ex-husband, Jared moved away to Chicago to take a post a newspaper. Ava works part-time at the Saint Jude Gazette in the entertainment section (not the type of writing she wishes to do). Ava has not dated since her divorce three years ago, but then she encounters Ford Dupree. Ford is a single-dad whose daughter, Nelly goes to the same pre-school as Sadie, Ava’s three-year-old daughter. Ford is also divorced. His ex-wife, Marion (a control freak and workaholic) is an ER doctor in New Orleans (about 80 miles away). Ford co-owns Rosie’s Café with his brother, Bobby Joe. They serve your typical diner fare. Ford, though, is not happy with the type of food they serve (brother overrules him). Slowly, Ava and Ford spend time together and start a relationship. But then their bubble of happiness is broken when Ava is offered a job in New Orleans. Ava wants to continue her relationship with Ford. Unfortunately, the situation is too reminiscent of what happened with his ex-wife for him. Ava relocates to New Orleans with her kids and begins a new job without Ford. But things are still the same at work for Ava. Ava feels she is not taken seriously as a journalist. Ava gets lucky when she stumbles upon a story that could be front page news. It also brings her back in contact with Ford who has a chance of creating the type of cuisine he desires. Is there a possibility of a second chance for this pair?

Ava’s Place is nicely written, has a good place, and a lovely setting (Louisiana). I liked Ford much more than I did Ava. Ava complained about her job, ex-husband, and her children. A person can only take so much of it in a book (reading is supposed to be an escape from reality). I found it disheartening. I give Ava’s Place 3 out of 5 stars. I found the story to be utterly predictable. The pair are instantly attracted to each, fall for each other, argument, break up, and then the inevitable conclusion. We also have Ava and Ford giving each other looks, distracted by thoughts of each other, thinking about intimate situations, etc. I did like the addition of Ava’s big story. It was the best part of the book (I wish the author had not given it such a small part). I think younger women will find Ava’s Place more enjoyable. Ava’s Place is a sweet book, but it is just not the right type for me.

AVA'S PLACE BY EMILY BECK COGBURN

Thank you to Net Galley, Emily Beck Cogburn and Kensington Publishing Corp for providing me with a digital copy for a fair and honest review.

I thought that this was written for women specifically. I usually enjoy contemporary fiction with realism written for both genders. This starts out with Ava who is the mother of three children and is already divorced. I am interested in knowing more about her marriage than just a sentence or two. Ava describes her marriage and divorce all in a couple of lines. Ava is trying to navigate her life as a single parent that is overwhelmed by getting her three young children to school. She describes getting her children off to school by saying that her oldest son James spilled lucky charms on his only clean uniform pants while he was trying to finish his spelling homework. Her middle son, Luke, had to have the crusts cut off his peanut butter sandwich. Many schools don't allow peanut butter because of allergies. Her youngest is three years old. The only girl is named Sadie who is three years old who doesn't want to be dropped off at day care because her favorite teacher arrives at nine-thirty AM.

This might be enjoyed by a younger women demographic. It wasn't a good fit for me. It can be read quickly. Ava made quite an impression on Ford who was dropping his daughter off at the same day care as he runs a diner with his brother and has custody of his daughter during the week. Ford's daughter's name is Nelly and every week-end he has to drive his daughter to New Orleans to spend time with her mother. His ex-wife Marion is a doctor and works more hours. Ford is interested in Ava and Ava is interested in Ford, but they both think each other is not interested.

One day as Ava is dropping off Sadie at daycare Ford asks Ava to have coffee. They are both excited and are attracted to one another. Ava gives Ford her phone number and they have a real date rollerskating and ate at Ford's Diner. Will Ford and Ava find love and happiness? Will they both move to New Orleans for jobs?