ABOUT THE BOOK
I was hers, but she was never mine.
Alice Yates is the hired “homemaker” for the Morrisons, an affluent couple in Minneapolis. For Alice, it’s a dream job to dress up like a 1950s housewife and read romance novels to Mr. Morrison before his afternoon nap.
But when the Morrisons’ only daughter returns home for the summer with her fiancé, Alice comes face- to-face with her shattered past—the only threat to her perfect life.
Eight years earlier, vacation rental owner Murphy Paddon had an impeccable vinyl record collection and did the most irresistible thing before kissing Alice, earning him a five-star rating. Their fortnight love affair was life-altering and ended tragically.
Murphy doesn’t know if Alice remembers him or whether he should tell his fiancée that the hired-help living in the guesthouse is the woman who irreparably broke his heart. He needs closure, but will the lingering glances and silent yearning lead to the end or just the beginning?
MY REVIEW
If you’re looking for an unforgettable read that tugs at your heartstrings and keeps you guessing, Jewel E. Ann’s books are always a go-to for me. They are so deep and emotional with a twist you never see coming. For me, The Homemaker is a little different from what I’ve come to expect, mainly because the storyline had me second-guessing whether I’d love the outcome. But no worries, it had everything I hoped for and more!
Alice is beyond fascinating. She’s sad, sarcastic, confident, and quirky, mourning the loss of the man who got away. Her second chance with Murphy is so close yet impossible since he is engaged to her new employers’ daughter. Honestly, I was all over the place with my thoughts about Alice. She’s a mystery, filled with secrets that could hurt everyone deeply, but it’s her vulnerability and the haunting feeling of unworthiness that really hit me hard.
Murphy is a whole storm on his own. He’s shy, unpredictable, and oh-so-patient, but he’s stuck in a dilemma that feels like a ticking time bomb. This guy is making questionable choices, and you can feel the weight of the world on his shoulders. The way he loves so deeply and honestly just wrecked me. I found myself rooting for him, even through the chaos that seemed unavoidable.
The connection between Alice and Murphy is nothing short of explosive. Their chemistry is intense, messy, and at times infuriating. I can’t tell you how many times I found myself wanting to shake them. The urgency to uncover their fates kept me glued to the pages late into the night. And the epilogue is an interesting future that leaves several questions hanging, yet I was left smiling, thanks to a beautiful, happy-for-now ending that made the journey worth it.
As for Alice’s employers, Hunter and Vera Morrison, I was taken aback by their lack of professionalism. But honestly, they’re just hilariously unapologetic. Their antics provide the much-needed comic relief amidst the heavier storyline, balancing the seriousness of the story with some genuine laughs.
In a nutshell, if you’re craving angsty love wrapped in chaos, longing, and unexpected surprises, this book should be your next read. Trust me, you won’t regret it.
BUY THE BOOK
 |
 |
 |
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jewel E. Ann is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author. With 10 years of flossing lectures under her belt, she took early retirement from her dental hygiene career to write mind-bending love stories. She’s living her best life in Iowa with her husband, three boys, and a Goldendoodle.
Follow Jewel on her website, Goodreads, Facebook, Facebook Group, Instagram, Twitter, Bookbub, Tiktok, and Pinterest.
