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Ducks in a Row #1
Ducks in a Row
Cady Summers thinks she has all her ducks in a great house, beautiful family. Then her estranged twin sister Cam shows up…pregnant. Envious of her sister’s condition and lonely with a teenage daughter and a workaholic husband, Cady’s life no longer seems to have the perfect order she has always cherished. A recovering drug addict and absentee mother of two, Cam Taylor has never had any order in her life. Afraid of his reaction to her pregnancy, Cam flees the man she loves, seeking refuge in the only home she still knows. Can the love between the two sisters provide a healing balm for the wounds of her scarred marriage or will Cady seek solace in the arms of another man? Can the reunion with her sister give Cam the courage she needs to face the man she loves or will she let her past mistakes come between them?
326 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 30, 2012
4 people are currently reading
346 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Garren Flye
39 books236 followersMichelle Garren Flye is an award-winning author of romance and women's fiction. Reviewers have described her work as: “an engaging novel with charming and likable characters”, a story that “will make you believe in love and second chances”, and a “well-written and thought-provoking novel.”
Michelle placed third in the Hyperink Romance Writing Contest for her short story “Life After”. Her short stories have been published by the romance anthology Foreign Affairs, Opium.com, SmokelongQuarterly.com and Flashquake.com. She has served on the editorial staffs of Horror Library Volume 1, Horror Library Volume 3, Butcher Shop Quartet, Butcher Shop Quartet II and Tattered Souls.
Michelle has a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She is the mother of three and lives in North Carolina with her husband and their rapidly growing collection of pets.
Michelle placed third in the Hyperink Romance Writing Contest for her short story “Life After”. Her short stories have been published by the romance anthology Foreign Affairs, Opium.com, SmokelongQuarterly.com and Flashquake.com. She has served on the editorial staffs of Horror Library Volume 1, Horror Library Volume 3, Butcher Shop Quartet, Butcher Shop Quartet II and Tattered Souls.
Michelle has a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She is the mother of three and lives in North Carolina with her husband and their rapidly growing collection of pets.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 5, 2013
This is a very beautiful but painful story that shows a family at a breaking point, a woman finally facing her fears to become a real adult, and the wreckage that gets left behind as you try to avoid facing facts to do the hard things such as make a marriage work.
Cady is shocked when her estranged sister shows up on her doorstep pregnant and running from the father of her baby. She's also at a major crisis point in a marriage that seems to be more about the motions than being real. She latches on to her sister in an attempt to replace her work-a-holic husband and teenage daughter but soon this isn't enough as her sister starts to stand on her own feet. She then jumps at the chance to take a part-time job with a man that could mean the death of her marriage as they have a strong attraction for one another but she'd never cross that line, would she, and he would never ask her to, or wouldn't he? She's a good woman who makes some bad choices in this story but they do come from a painfully honest place that even though I can't condone those decisions I can't condemn her for them either.
Cam is struggling. She's already had three husbands and two kids who she has nothing to do with but this latest pregnancy has her scared in more than one way. She runs to her sister believing that the perfect family life will give her the chance to figure things out and make a better decision. When she sees that things aren't perfect with her sister's marriage she really steps up to try to help Cady before a horrible mistake can be made. She also finds out that maybe just maybe a real love is in her life to stay if she can just let him in. She grows up a lot in this book and watching her finally embrace being present in her own life was wonderful to see. I liked that even when her life was falling apart she really did want to help her sister and even learned a few things in the process that should mean a wonderful future for her and her baby.
I'm going to leave this review short and not mention the men that play a major role in this story but between them and the drama that having a teenager brings to life it really ultimately is a story of two sisters finally finding true happiness with the family they love. Please do not read this if you have a fundamental issue with cheating as I'm not going to whitewash Cady's relationship although I can say that a certain line isn't crossed but for some people this idea of even emotionally cheating or fooling around with someone outside their marriage would be an extreme hard limit so if it is one of yours please don't read. I would recommend it to anyone else but I do want to emphasize there is a major betrayal that happens and I wouldn't want you to be unhappy to read something that is unforgivable to your sensibilities. I found it to be a tragic story in some ways with a glimmer of hope that even at our bleakest moments real love can conquer all.
Thanks to Michelle Garren Flye for asking me if I would be willing to review this. She did not ask for anything other than my honest opinion and I can gladly say that this was a wonderful read. I'm just sorry it took me so long to pull it out of my TBR pile.
Cady is shocked when her estranged sister shows up on her doorstep pregnant and running from the father of her baby. She's also at a major crisis point in a marriage that seems to be more about the motions than being real. She latches on to her sister in an attempt to replace her work-a-holic husband and teenage daughter but soon this isn't enough as her sister starts to stand on her own feet. She then jumps at the chance to take a part-time job with a man that could mean the death of her marriage as they have a strong attraction for one another but she'd never cross that line, would she, and he would never ask her to, or wouldn't he? She's a good woman who makes some bad choices in this story but they do come from a painfully honest place that even though I can't condone those decisions I can't condemn her for them either.
Cam is struggling. She's already had three husbands and two kids who she has nothing to do with but this latest pregnancy has her scared in more than one way. She runs to her sister believing that the perfect family life will give her the chance to figure things out and make a better decision. When she sees that things aren't perfect with her sister's marriage she really steps up to try to help Cady before a horrible mistake can be made. She also finds out that maybe just maybe a real love is in her life to stay if she can just let him in. She grows up a lot in this book and watching her finally embrace being present in her own life was wonderful to see. I liked that even when her life was falling apart she really did want to help her sister and even learned a few things in the process that should mean a wonderful future for her and her baby.
I'm going to leave this review short and not mention the men that play a major role in this story but between them and the drama that having a teenager brings to life it really ultimately is a story of two sisters finally finding true happiness with the family they love. Please do not read this if you have a fundamental issue with cheating as I'm not going to whitewash Cady's relationship although I can say that a certain line isn't crossed but for some people this idea of even emotionally cheating or fooling around with someone outside their marriage would be an extreme hard limit so if it is one of yours please don't read. I would recommend it to anyone else but I do want to emphasize there is a major betrayal that happens and I wouldn't want you to be unhappy to read something that is unforgivable to your sensibilities. I found it to be a tragic story in some ways with a glimmer of hope that even at our bleakest moments real love can conquer all.
Thanks to Michelle Garren Flye for asking me if I would be willing to review this. She did not ask for anything other than my honest opinion and I can gladly say that this was a wonderful read. I'm just sorry it took me so long to pull it out of my TBR pile.
March 25, 2013
Cady Summers thinks she has all her ducks in a row: great house, beautiful family. Then her estranged twin sister Cam shows up…pregnant. Envious of her sister’s condition and lonely with a teenage daughter and a workaholic husband, Cady’s life no longer seems to have the perfect order she has always cherished.
A recovering drug addict and absentee mother of two, Cam Taylor has never had any order in her life. Afraid of his reaction to her pregnancy, Cam flees the man she loves, seeking refuge in the only home she still knows.
Can the love between the two sisters provide a healing balm for the wounds of her scarred marriage or will Cady seek solace in the arms of another man? Can the reunion with her sister give Cam the courage she needs to face the man she loves or will she let her past mistakes come between them?
First, I do want to say I found the writing to be pleasant, easy to read, not a lot of filler and the story moved at a nice comfortable pace. As far as the writing style itself I have no complaints. The characters were developed nicely and very realistically. The subject matter was a little too realistic for me personally. I love escapism and I couldn’t escape in this story. Although categorized as romance, it is not the typical romance that I normally read. The story is told mainly about Cady, but we do get a glimpse into her sister, Cam’s life. Personally, I would have loved to have gotten to know Cam a little better.
I have to say I'm torn between giving 3 stars or 4 stars. 3 stars mainly because of the lack of escapism. 4 stars because regardless of the issues I have with certain elements, it was still a good solid read. I will more than likely read more by this author. And I would recommend her to readers who enjoy reading realistic romances.
A recovering drug addict and absentee mother of two, Cam Taylor has never had any order in her life. Afraid of his reaction to her pregnancy, Cam flees the man she loves, seeking refuge in the only home she still knows.
Can the love between the two sisters provide a healing balm for the wounds of her scarred marriage or will Cady seek solace in the arms of another man? Can the reunion with her sister give Cam the courage she needs to face the man she loves or will she let her past mistakes come between them?
First, I do want to say I found the writing to be pleasant, easy to read, not a lot of filler and the story moved at a nice comfortable pace. As far as the writing style itself I have no complaints. The characters were developed nicely and very realistically. The subject matter was a little too realistic for me personally. I love escapism and I couldn’t escape in this story. Although categorized as romance, it is not the typical romance that I normally read. The story is told mainly about Cady, but we do get a glimpse into her sister, Cam’s life. Personally, I would have loved to have gotten to know Cam a little better.
I have to say I'm torn between giving 3 stars or 4 stars. 3 stars mainly because of the lack of escapism. 4 stars because regardless of the issues I have with certain elements, it was still a good solid read. I will more than likely read more by this author. And I would recommend her to readers who enjoy reading realistic romances.
March 13, 2013
Michelle Garren Flye does not hesitate to tackle some pretty uncomfortable subjects in Ducks in a Row. This well-written and thought-provoking novel provides a realistic look into how two people who love one another can find themselves on the verge of losing everything when they stop communicating and begin taking each other for granted. Please click HERE to read my review in its entirety.
December 25, 2013
One of the best books I have read this year, very thought provoking.
Ducks in a Row is not only about the twin sisters: Cam & Cady, but about family. Everything about this book was well-written. Michelle brings you close to the characters, you can understand their logical, or what seems to be, thinking. This book has so much depth on so many levels. The thought process, and how everything played out was so great! I could hardly put this book down, such a pleasant read. I got through half of 370 pages by the time I knew it. I wanted to finish this book, and I am so glad I did.
This book can be an emotional read especially if you have been through a tragic cheating situation; however, it doesn’t lead to every detail, but it could be something hard to overcome emotionally. So, just know that is the only thing I will say about that, because it did hit home to me on a lot of occasions, but I still made it through. Michelle did shine light on marriages and how we shouldn’t take anyone for granted from husbands, sisters, to children (family). Go ahead, grab your copy today. It really is that good.
We're Jumpin' Books
Ducks in a Row is not only about the twin sisters: Cam & Cady, but about family. Everything about this book was well-written. Michelle brings you close to the characters, you can understand their logical, or what seems to be, thinking. This book has so much depth on so many levels. The thought process, and how everything played out was so great! I could hardly put this book down, such a pleasant read. I got through half of 370 pages by the time I knew it. I wanted to finish this book, and I am so glad I did.
This book can be an emotional read especially if you have been through a tragic cheating situation; however, it doesn’t lead to every detail, but it could be something hard to overcome emotionally. So, just know that is the only thing I will say about that, because it did hit home to me on a lot of occasions, but I still made it through. Michelle did shine light on marriages and how we shouldn’t take anyone for granted from husbands, sisters, to children (family). Go ahead, grab your copy today. It really is that good.
We're Jumpin' Books
August 19, 2014
Not sure why I downloaded this book, the blurb sounded interesting but it is basically a romance. Twin sisters from a small North Carolina town, each hell-bent on ballsing up their life and I had little sympathy for their foolishness.
One lucky sister had two men wanting her, so she had to choose between her Inattentive, workaholic, absent husband and disobedient teen daughter or her very sexy, kind and understanding boss, the loss of her small family and wrecking her boss' business reputation. The other sister was running away from the big, sexy, gentle giant who adored her, is the father of the child she is carrying with whom she is also in love.
This read like a messed up Mills & Boon, which I stopped reading in my teens. I just didn't see the point of any of the characters and wanted to bang all their stupid heads together. One star for not too embarrassing love scenes, apart from the last one... "you're mine", indeed. What bollocks.
One lucky sister had two men wanting her, so she had to choose between her Inattentive, workaholic, absent husband and disobedient teen daughter or her very sexy, kind and understanding boss, the loss of her small family and wrecking her boss' business reputation. The other sister was running away from the big, sexy, gentle giant who adored her, is the father of the child she is carrying with whom she is also in love.
This read like a messed up Mills & Boon, which I stopped reading in my teens. I just didn't see the point of any of the characters and wanted to bang all their stupid heads together. One star for not too embarrassing love scenes, apart from the last one... "you're mine", indeed. What bollocks.
July 25, 2014
One of my favorite books by Michelle Garren Flye! As with all of her books, the characters were such real people- people who could have walked the streets of my own small town. In her easy to read style Michelle Garren Flye captured my interest and I was easily invested in these characters. As the main character Cady feels conflicted over her emotions so did I. I found myself waffling back in forth as I debated what she should do. A book where you feel the emotions of the characters, rather than just reading about them? Now that is a five star book and that is exactly what this one is.
April 14, 2013
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
A wonderful story about a husband and wife having some marital problems and wondering if their marriage will last, with the wife's sister showing up with her own set of problems. The wife falls in love with another man even though she still loves her husband and we find out in the end if they stay together or if she goes with the other man.
A wonderful story about a husband and wife having some marital problems and wondering if their marriage will last, with the wife's sister showing up with her own set of problems. The wife falls in love with another man even though she still loves her husband and we find out in the end if they stay together or if she goes with the other man.
April 22, 2013
This wasn't a page-turner for me, but it was a pretty good, easy read.
Sometimes I had trouble keeping the sisters straight in the beginning. And at one point I started to hate Cady for "wanting her cake and eating it too."
I liked the storyline, but thought it all wrapped up too nice and neat.
Sometimes I had trouble keeping the sisters straight in the beginning. And at one point I started to hate Cady for "wanting her cake and eating it too."
I liked the storyline, but thought it all wrapped up too nice and neat.
March 31, 2013
This book was hard to put down. Family reunions, scandals and betrayal, it flowed smoothly and kept my attention with every twist and turn. I look forward to reading more by Michelle! Thanks for the great read!
April 30, 2013
Ducks in a Row was one of best books I have read in a while. Twins, Carley & Cam were more real to me. Their ups & downs. The book ended good, but not like I thought it would. Thanks Michelle Flye. goodreads and Amazon for giving me the chance to read.
August 31, 2016
Passive, relaxed sister rivalry story. A nice beach read.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews