The Things I Do For You - Mary Carter (Review & Giveaway!)

4 Stars!

ABOUT THE BOOK -

Bailey Jordan has loved her husband, Brad, since they were ten years old. She's followed him on every adventure--opening a sweater store in Seattle, a café in Colorado, a surf shop in Santa Monica. Each time, she's picked up the pieces when things fell apart. But now, it's her turn. Bailey has a successful real estate career in Manhattan, and she's eager to start a family--until a car crash leaves Brad in a coma and changes their lives forever. 

Awakening after his near-death experience, Brad has a new mission. He buys a lighthouse on the Hudson River, planning to turn it into a B&B. Grateful to have Brad alive, Bailey tries to make his dream her own. The lighthouse is beautiful, but the challenges--renovating, bringing in supplies by boat, navigating the locals and guests--are enormous. And then Bailey discovers a secret in Brad's past that compels her to question her husband, her marriage, and how far she'll go to keep them both.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - (from Amazon)

MARY CARTER is a freelance writer and novelist. The Pub Across the Pond, is her fifth novel with Kensington. It is also available as an audiobook through Blackstone Audio. In July of 2012 it will be the pick of the month for the Barnes and Noble online book club. Her other works include: My Sister's Voice, Sunnyside Blues, She'll Take It, and Accidentally Engaged. In addition to her novels she has written two novellas: A Very Maui Christmas in the New York Times best selling anthology Holiday Magic, and The Honeymoon House in the New York Times best selling anthology Almost Home. Her novels have been translated in the UK, France, Germany, China, South Korea, Brazil, and Portugal. Although the deal didn't culminate in a sale, She'll Take It was optioned by Paramount Pictures. Her sixth novel, The Things I Do For You, will be released July 31, 2012, and her next novella will be out in the Spring of 2013. Readers are welcome to visit her athttp://www.marycarterbooks.com/, Mary Carter books on Facebook, or @marycarterbooks on Twitter.

MY REVIEW -
This was a wild and very strangely fun book to read. 
Oh my word, I certainly did not expect this! This was entertainment on every page. I have to say this was one of the strangest books I have read. I never knew what to expect next, it certainly kept me guessing. I can not say that this one was predictable. There was never a dull moment, well maybe a few, but not many.

It started out very much like a Chick-Lit book (very funny and quirky), then sad while reading about her husband's accident (which was very original, by the way!). Then turned into a beach read with the purchasing of an Upstate NY Lighthouse on the Hudson River! (How cool is that? I live in upstate NY just hours from there!), oh but it doesn't stop there - it then quickly turns into a ghost story when they learn the lighthouse is haunted! And just to add more flavor to the story you have to have some marital angst, oh course! And then it ends like a Mystery (see, something for everyone!) This book was like a whirlwind roller coaster ride. It was over the top, very unrealistic and very unbelievable but that's what made it so fun to read. "Its kinda a mix of Horror and Romance, like Amityville Horror meets The Notebook" - you'll have to read the book to get that line. Amityville Horror, by the way, took place in Amityville NY, in upstate NY!

I loved the authors writing style. It was sad and hilarious at the same time. Imagine your husband of 7 years was in a car accident and was dead for 13 min. and is now in a coma, and somehow the author makes this seem funny! I couldn't keep track of my emotions, crying, giggling, mad at the husband, mad at Bailey for not leaving her jerk of a husband. Then was so proud of Bailey for putting up with him and sticking to her guns, I think she deserved the "Wife of the year" award, even with her "throwing things" habit. The woman had the patients of a saint.

The character development was great! I had no problem relating to Bailey and falling in love with her, I also had no problem thinking Brad was insane! There were lots of minor characters which the Author did a equally excellent job with.  You have no problem getting to know all of them.

A few fun quotes -

"He's alive?" Of course he's alive, he's my husband, I had breakfast with him this morning, dead men don't eat hash-browns."

"I could never leave Manhattan," Jesse said. "Couldn't trade this island for another. Isn't it sad? Without gunshots, and stabbings, and really stupid self-inflicted wounds, I don't know who I would be."

"I might have been able to warm up to Maine or Rhode Island," Bailey mused. "California, Scotland."
"Ooh Scotland would be nice," Jesse interrupted. "I might leave freakville for Scotland."
"Right? But what do I get? Upstate New York, He wants us to give up Manhattan for Upstate New York?" - Hey now! Upstate NY is not that bad!

The ending was this crazy mixed up awesome confusion that was just perfect!

THE ALL-IN-ALL -
All in all this was a really great, fun, very quirky interesting read. I think there were a few swear words but not too bad, and there was a sex scene but not graphic at all. I highly recommend this book, but please keep in mind that it is fiction and is not to be taken seriously - it is really far fetched, but thats what makes it such a fun book to read.

Thank you Librarything Early Reviewers for sending me this book to read and review!

THE GIVEAWAY -

To win my copy of this book - fill out the form below.

* Please US & Canada only.

And please only enter once -  (I go through and delete double entries).

* Winner will be chosen on Sept. 6th.

* Winner will have 48 hrs. to respond.