4.5 stars
This book is the first one that I've read by Whitney Dineen. Unfortunately I didn't realize that this was Book #2 in the Creek Water series. However, it can be a stand-alone book. It just 'spoils' some of Book #1 as you find out what happens with Emmie. Alas, this book was amazing. I was first drawn in by the cover and the story sounded so intriguing. I immediately liked the main character, Lexi, as she is a likable, single woman who really doesn't dwell on the fact that she is single (like a lot of the rom coms out there!) She recalls her fortune that was told when she was 10: that in her 30th year her life will have many changes after the dog jumps over. That's just the start of her adventure, when she's in Central Park, and a dog jumps over her! I loved the whimsical narrative that came along with the book and the rich history of the south made you feel right at home. A genuine rom com filled with history, family, and the quest for love. A great book to believe in the power of family and the quest for love.

#netgalley #themove

So I did not read the first book of this series so I wasn't sure what I was getting in too. But I loved it. I love the small town aspect of it, something I do not know much about myself. I love the gradual burn of Lexi and Beau's romance. I also loved the crazy relatives throughout the book. Looking forward to more!

This was a dnf for me. I really wanted to like this book, but it's set basically where I live (although the geography clues given were strange) and it just rubbed me the wrong way. I really, really couldn't get into the almost jabbing characterizing of the Missouri characters.

The Move by Whitney Dineen
The Creek Water Series Book 2

5/5 Stars!!
I've read the first book in the series The Event and fell in love with the characters so it was only natural to dive into book 2.

When Lexi Blake was twelve years old, a fortune teller gave her the following cryptic message:.... This is what set in motion a series of events that will change Lexie Blake's life in the most amazing and at times shocking ways.

Magical, Swoon Worthy and sweet as can be romcom/dramady that will have you begging the author for more!!
I truly cannot wait to see what's to come from this talented author.

Thank you #NetGalleyfor this book in exchange for my honest review.

The Move by Whitney Dineen

The story reflects how lexi moves half way across America when her life suddenly changes because of things beyond her control. The story reflect how fate intervened and how the past and present can intertwine for no obvious reason.

Really enjoyable romantic novel with lots of humour. Loved the book well written the story flows beautifully.

This book was sweet and cute. It moved a little slower than I’d like though. My preferred romance book has witty dialogue, lots of sass and preferably a little more tension and intimacy. Unfortunately, The Move had none of those things. If you are looking for a super sweet, clean romance this might be more up your alley.
I was frustrated with the stereotypical characters that needed more depth and a lot less sicky sweet.

This book has you frustrated and happy and all the other feelings. The story is so different than other books of similar genre and keeps you guessing. The allure of a beautiful old house is always enough to suck me in to a story, and the mystery element of the fortune tellers prediction is exciting.

Sweet, Lovely and just pure love. Surprisingly good. I loved the sense of community and love that was in the book

I tried and I tried and I tried some more. Sadly, this just wasn’t the book for me. I gave up after chapter 4.

Thank you to NetGalley a d the publisher for this ARC in Exchange for am honest review

First time reading this author and yes I started in book 2.

I liked it. It was cute and shows how life sometimes works itself out just the way it’s meant to be

Book 1 is Emmys story - Emmy is Lexie’s best friend Emmy moves back home and in book 2 - the Move, Lexi finds her life at a crossroad and decides to take vacation to spend time with her friend and decide what she wants to do career wise - does she move to Georgia with a paycut and still with her job? Time in Missouri with Emmy should help clear her mind

Unforeseen events: old prediction comes true. She’s 39 and a dog jumped over her. Her apt is going condo and she cant afford it and a promotion at work is a paycut and move to Atlanta ; cue in sexy best friends Cousin and his girlfriend and lastly a mansion up for sale at a ridiculous price.

Yeap her life has turned upside down

At the end she get the house, the boy and an new career and we see all these events for foretold by a psychic.

Hmmm 🤔 cute read and really love drama.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

I really enjoyed Lexi's story. It was not my first Whitney Dineen book and certainly not my last. I liked the first book in this series and as this book didn't disappoint either. With a solid storyline and entertaining characters, it was a good book and I would certainly look forward to more of the author's work in the future.

Thank you and happy reading!

In the second book in the Creek Water, Missouri series, Lexi is at a crossroads in both her personal and professional lives. Her employer seems to be downsizing and plans to transfer her from NYC to Atlanta. Her apartment building is going condo, and she can’t afford to buy in. Her best friend, Emile, has moved home to Missouri, so Lexi decides to take her five weeks of accumulated vacation and go visit her.

While there, she reminisces about her grandmother and a visit she and her grandmother paid to a fortune teller and realizes that everything that has recently happened to her seems to be following the fortune teller’s prophecy.

Lexie is introduced to Emmie’s cousin Beau to whom she is instantly attracted; however, Beau has an on-again off-again girlfriend, so Emmie vows to steer clear of him. Unfortunately, she doesn’t seem to have much success with that, since Beau is the realtor representing the owner of a property Lexie is interested in buying.

Can Lexie and Beau find a way to connect and what kind of role will the crazy prophecy have in their lives and in the lives of the other residents of Creek Water?

Whitney Dineen has a gift for balancing humor with reality and writing characters readers can't help but love. Her stories are witty, engaging and complete with smart dialogue.
When changes at work and home leave Lexi wondering what’s next she heads out to Creek a Water, Missouri to visit her friend Emmie. And that’s when everything gets complicated! I enjoyed the dynamic between Lexi and her parents as well as her relationship with the Creek Water residents.
‘The Move' is Book 2 in the Creek Water series. I love this town and the quirky but lovable Frothingham family. I can't wait for the next installment!

In her thirtieth year, when a dog jumps over her, her life will change… that’s what a woman with ‘the gift’ told her when she was young. This is the start of what leads Lexi Blake in The Move to Creek Water, Missouri and her destiny.

This book is full of colorful characters and can be read alone, but I suggest starting with The Event (first book in series) because it will make it more enjoyable. Or I assume it will because it did for me. This is definitely a porch on the lake kind of book to be enjoyed slowly with a cup of ice cold tea on a lazy day.

I laughed out loud a few times and really enjoyed this break from the world. It was a super-fast read, so I finished it within a matter of hours. Can’t wait until March for the third in the series!
It did hit on a few topics such as feminism, racism, and standing up for what you believe in/want, but none of them were really focused on deeply. I really wanted more butterflies (because let’s face it Dineen is GREAT at the butterflies) and felt the feelings of romance didn’t come through like most of her other work, but hey, love comes in all sorts of ways so it didn’t deflect from my enjoyment overall.

What did, deflect a bit from my enjoyment was the psychic/fortune teller element. At first it was charming, much like reading a fortune cookie when you are young, tucking it away in your jewelry box and then one day going back to it after it came true, but then towards the end it got kind of heavy and didn't add to the story. Just me though.

Still I rated this a good read and definitely work my time at 3 stars. The break sitting by the lake with a light read for a few hours was just what I needed.

**Disclaimer: I was given a free e-book in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley.**

Title The Move (The Creek Water Series #2)

Author Whitney Dineen

Description from Amazon

When Lexi Blake was twelve years old, a fortune teller gave her the following cryptic message:

In your thirtieth year, once the dog jumps over you, your life will change in the most unexpected ways.

Lexi is thirty now and the following unexpected things have occurred:

•While walking through Central Park enjoying a beautiful fall day, Lexi eats dirt when a careless dog owner throws a frisbee at her head. A dog jumps over her.
•Lexi gets a promotion that pays less than her current job.
•Her crush announces that he’s engaged.
•Her apartment turns condo and she can’t afford the down payment.

In order to escape her bad luck, she takes a vacation to visit a good friend in Creek Water, Missouri. But as it turns out, fate has a lot more in store for Lexi Blake.

Will a good friend, an unexpected love interest, and a historic house have her scrapping her plans and moving to a small town on the banks of the Mississippi River? Find out in the delightfully funny rom-com that’s sure to make you believe in happy endings!

Release Date January 1, 2020

Initial Thoughts

I will be part of the Book Blitz for The Plan by Whitney Dineen in March and I saw that The Move was available on NetGalley so I decided to apply. I didn’t have too many thoughts going into this book but, I knew it looked like a cute rom-com.

Some Things I Liked

BERTIE. Bertie 👏 is 👏 my 👏 spirit 👏 animal 👏 . I loved Bertie and his free spirit. He was an amazing character and I want to read so much more about him. He added so much whimsy and fun to to the story.
NYC. I loved Lexi’s take on the Big Apple from a native’s POV. As a Jersey girl who commutes into midtown every day, I loved her descriptions of Central Park, life in the city, and life growing up there.
Unconventional families. I loved the family dynamics represented by both Lexi and Beau’s families in this story.
One Thing I Wasn’t Crazy About

The romance plot felt a bit rushed. Lexi and Beau have this undeniable chemistry but they try not to interact. Then, *poof*, they’re in love? It was a little unresolved for my taste – but they were sweet together, nonetheless.

Series Value

I read this series out of order – I started with #2. There are spoilers for the first book, but the plots are relatively independent. I think I could read book 1, despite knowing the final outcome, and still enjoy it.

Also, I would continue with this series. Book 3 is also a new story with a new main character but I’m sure there will be spoilers for books 1 and 2 in the next installment as well.

Basically, my recommendation is if you think you’ll want to read them all, read them in order. If you just want to read one, the order doesn’t matter.

Final Thoughts

This was a cute story. It was super clean and is perfect for fans of adorable romances (with no mature content). While the main character is 30, I think this would be a perfect book for fans of contemporary YA who want to break into adult fiction.

Also, if the real estate prices are even close to real, I’m seriously considering a move to the south (just kidding – but wouldn’t that be fun to blog about 😉).

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Recommendations for Further Reading

Make or Break at the Lighthouse B&B by Portia MacIntosh – this book is coming out on February 14th (review to come a bit closer to that date), but if you enjoyed the wit, romance, and ideas of starting over in a new place, try this rom-com by Portia MacIntosh.
The Plan by Whitney Dineen – this is the next book in the series. If you liked the writing style and Creek Water as a setting, try this book out.
Coming Home to Glendale Hall by Victoria Walters – if you liked the themes of re-discovering yourself that Lexi experiences in The Move, try this book by Victoria Walters – the sequel is coming out in February.

This was a super quick and light read. It had some mysticism in it so that added a different element to a run of the mill rom-com. Nothing that is going to blow your mind or make you roll on the floor laughing but a good time pass read. This is the second book in the series but you can read as a stand-alone. I really liked the Bertie character and the historical references.

The Move by Whitney Dineen ⭐️⭐️💫


•

The idea of this story was so cute! A vague psychic foreseeing as a child tells Lexi that in her 30th year of life she will see many changes. When that year is upon her, she loses her apartment and has an unwanted job change. She finds herself visiting Missouri from her home in NYC where those many changes come to fruition in what is described as a truly idyllic setting.

While I wanted so much to love this one. I didn’t feel any real romance connection between the main characters. There were some lovely supporting characters (her Dad was hilarious) but I felt like they were under developed and had unresolved issues. In the beginning there was some definite bad talking of Missouri (and the rest of the country) by Lexi’s parents which just sat wrong and a little hurtful to me given that my family is from St Louis. Overall, I loved the idea of this book but it fell a little short for me personally.

⚠️: Miscarriage, slavery, racism

I received an advanced reader's copy of The Move (The Creek Water Series Book 2) by Whitney Dineen from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was the second book that I have read by Whitney Dineen and I quite enjoyed the previous novel so I had high hopes for The Move. Happily, it did not disappoint!

Overall, I enjoyed this novel and I found it to be well written. The primary characters' romantic start was memorable and immediately showcased their chemistry/attraction even as they (mostly the male protagonist) tried to ignore the attraction.

I liked the well-crafted characters and the witty banter, as well as an engrossing plot that included a historic home, the Underground Railroad, and a brilliantly crazy artist. All in all, The Move (The Creek Water Series Book 2) by Whitney Dineen was a fun novel!

I had previously never read anything of the author’s work, so this came as a sweet surprise. I liked Lexie Blake from the moment I met her, she seemed real somehow.
I couldn’t put the book down and finished it in one day.

Lexie Blake’s life takes a prompt turn when she is told that due to economical difficulties at work, she’s being transferred to Atlanta. At the same time her rental apartment is no longer for rent but for purchase. Lexie does not know how she’ll afford it, and on top of that her crush (aka her neighbor) has declared that he’s engaged. To give herself time to breathe and decide on what to do next, Lexie goes on vacation to Creek Water to visit a friend. What she doesn’t know is that her life will change for the better, in ways she could’ve never have anticipated,

This was a very fun read. The characters felt real and I liked the fact that there was some history between the pages.

I read 2 books today. Which hasn’t happened in a while. It feels decadent - like I’ve taken good care of myself today.

Unfortunately I didn’t love either read.

Let’s just put this right out there. I don’t think of Missouri as the south. A number of characters in the book had accents that made me think of Macon. Moultrie. Birmingham. Not Missouri. And why did the New Yorkers have no accents but the southerners sound like the cast of Hee Haw?

Despite liking the author’s writing style, I grew to rather dislike the hero. If he even was the hero. I’m not sure what was happening there. And the weird psychic stuff was too far.

Things kept happening to yank me out of the story. I actually googled audio of Missouri accents.

Anyhow. It was a miss. And a mess. All hat and no cattle as we say round here.

As always - thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to offer an honest review.

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