Title: Start Me Up
Series: Hearts and Crafts #1
Author: Nicole Michaels
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: March 3, 2015
Publisher: St. Martin’s Paperbacks
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: Owned, Paperback
Cover Description:
Why do Do-It-Yourself…
Single mom Anne Edmond can handle—and hand-make—just about anything. From table settings to party favors, floral arrangements to nursery décor, there is no project her creativity and a glue gun can’t tackle. But dating? That’s a whole ’nother story. Case in point: Mike Everett. He’s a gorgeous mechanic and known car-whisperer, a man who can work with auto parts like nobody’s business. And he has thrown a monkey wrench into Anne’s carefully-crafted life…
When you can do it together?
One look at Anne is enough for Mike to know that she’s no fixer-upper. She’s perfect just the way she is—and the chemistry between them works like a charm. Mike’s always been a no-strings kind of guy, but Anne’s impressive self-reliance—and gorgeous exterior—gives him pause. This time, a fast joyride just doesn’t seem like enough. But first he has to convince Anne that he means to take her all the way.
Read on for my thoughts on Start Me Up. No true spoilers, promise.
Start Me Up is that special kind of feel good novel that we all need – not every story has to be full of angst and over the top drama.
Anne is a divorced, single mom to the adorable Claire. She has a very popular blog My Perfect Little Life which is a combination of life, kids, DIY crafts – simply a very upbeat, informative spot that touches on almost all aspects of life. Her friends Callie and Lindsey also contribute to the blog which rounds it out even further with their input. Anne is or was very proud of her blog, except her former husband seems to have used her success there to explain away his cheating. Anne has some self-worth issues (like we all don’t, right?) – she is a lovely, curvy mom with a precious child… she’s not thinking she is date material and really isn’t looking.
Mike owns a business where he restores old classic cars. His reputation of being a bit of a playboy is over-rated, but as a mechanic he has a magic touch making beat up old cars come back into their prime beauty. He’s not looking for happy ever after bliss. Or he wasn’t. While dropping off his niece at her friend’s birthday party Mike comes face-to-face with his dream woman, maybe even his future. She’s beautiful with curves in all the right places and comes with an adorable little girl… what’s not to love about this woman.
I simply adored these characters. Neither one is without their own issues mainly insecurity. There is a slight age difference that Anne is focused on and she so self conscious about her few extra pounds that produces the curves that Mile loves. Anne isn’t as trusting as Mike would have liked, but when you’ve been torn apart by an ex-husband it leaves a bad taste and self-esteem issues. There are misunderstandings, but not insurmountable ones. This is simply a lovely, charming love story with such a real life feel. A bit of insta-lust that quickly grows to something so much more.
If you are in the mood for a sweet, caring couple with a few challenges to get past and you love a feel good romance – then Start Me Up is perfect for you. I would recommend this charming story without hesitation. We all need to just enjoy life, and this novel does that so well.
Start Me Up is the first story in Ms Michaels’ series Hearts and Crafts. I’ve got the second one and the third will be available in 2016. Looking forward to Callie and Lindsey’s stories. I’m betting after reading this one, you will be too.
Available in paperback and for the Kindle
