Kristie J’s review of His Semi-Charmed Life (Camp Firefly Falls, Book 0) by Lisa Hughey
Contemporary Romance published by Lisa Hughey 23 Jun 17
I want to like every book I read, but that isn’t really feasible. Sadly, this is one of them. I didn’t hate or even dislike it but more that it didn’t work for me on any level whatsoever.
The books starts out when the main characters, Penelope Hastings and Diego Ramos, were young. She was nine and a camper and Diego was a counselor at the camp, a very angry and bitter young guy. She tried being friendly to him and he was a total jerk. The interaction between them stayed with each of them for years, until they run into each other again. Penny is doing some kind of co-op farming thing and giving a demonstration at the very same place they met years ago and Diego is there when he is thinking of merging his very successful business with another company. While she knows who he is right off the bat, it isn’t until he hears her name that he recognizes her. And just like the first time when they met, he’s often rude, jumps to conclusions, and is a total jerk. Yet she forgives him time and time again – why I have no idea, but still she does. So we have a guy who is NOT hero material.
And let’s talk about Penny. She has this idea of putting in vegetable gardens at companies and the employees can garden on their free time and then donate the vegetables to a food bank. Doing this will make them more relaxed and happier employees.
Say what????
I work and there is not a chance in hell that I would do any type of “gardening” on my breaks or lunch. What a stupid, stupid idea. Sure, some might be into something like that, but seriously?. Though she was raised rich, Penny is definitely an earth mother type now. And about her childhood – when she was still young, around 18 or so, her parents embezzled hundreds of thousands of dollars and simply disappeared, leaving Penny with the aftermath. She had no clue about anything. Give me a break. As if two parents would do something like that? Nope, can’t buy it.
Another thing I find unbelievable is it’s a couple who own the camp, and when she has to go to the hospital, he stays with her and then expects Penny to run the entire seminar She was there to do a presentation about vegetables and now she’s running the show. There is no mention of any kind of compensation, but if someone expected that kind of thing from me, I know I’m nice – too nice at times – but I would be saying, “HELL TO THE NO!” If I were expected to take on the responsibility of the whole camp, which is basically what happens, I’d want something more than a hearty thanks.
There was just too much I just couldn’t believe. I see there are some better reviews than I’m giving and I’m happy for the author, but this one is a fail for me, sadly. An earth mother type heroine and a Very Dislikable hero just aren’t my cuppa.
Grade: C-
Summary:
Going from princess to pauper wasn’t exactly the fairy tale ending Penelope Hastings believed in as a kid. She grabs at the opportunity to work at Camp Firefly Falls—home of her most treasured childhood memories and the haven where her spoiled heart expanded, and her perspective changed, after an encounter with an older boy. Now she’s hoping that the camp can work its magic one more time and help her craft a new life.
Rags to riches entrepreneur, Diego Ramos, never wanted to see Camp Firefly Falls again—the site of the most hated year in his teenage life as camp counselor, and his most regrettable moment ever. That one clash with an entitled little girl had a profound impact on him, changing the trajectory of his future. So, when his assistant books a corporate retreat at Camp Firefly Falls, he’s more than a little unsettled at the irony.
Now, twenty years later, Penelope and Diego are reunited. A second chance at happiness won’t come easy when their reversal in fortunes and unexpected sexual attraction complicates everything. Will they be able to work through their regrets and memories, and learn that love is the greatest fortune of all?
No excerpt available.
